Basadi in Action Sports

The third round of the Hollywoodbets Super League Amplified in Polokwane delivered a weekend packed with statement performances as teams from the Super Era and Super Rise groups continued to fight for early-season points at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium. Lebohang Ramalepe UJ Ladies set the tone on Friday The University of Johannesburg Ladies won a thrilling university derby 4-2 against TUT Matsatsantsa, with Mpho Dlamini netting a brace and earning Player of the Match as UJ climbed into the top two of the Super Rise standings. UJ recorded their second win in three games, their only defeat was to Fort Hare, losing 2-0 in Pretoria.  Later in the day, TS Galaxy Queens continued their strong start by beating Diepkloof Ladies 4-1, with Leandra Smeda scoring twice and Refiloe Jane as well as Babalwa Mngxunya adding another goal to keep Galaxy as strong contenders for the league title. TS Galaxy Queens Head Coach Sizwe Sibiya said that his game plan for this fixture was well executed, “One...

The Hollywoodbets Super League Amplified festival returned to Tshwane from 19-21 June, with the University of Pretoria (Tuks) hosting a weekend of league fixtures that highlighted the quality and competitiveness of women’s football in South Africa.  HWBS Top Goal scorers JVW © Backpage TXT The festival got underway on Friday, 19 June, with an entertaining clash between Richmond United and Diepkloof Ladies. Diepkloof Ladies made an early statement when they found the back of the net in the ninth minute, but Richmond United responded almost immediately levelling matters just a minute later. With the match finely balanced heading into the second half, Richmond United returned with renewed energy and determination. Their efforts paid off when Zoe De Kock scored the decisive goal to hand her side the lead and ultimately  secure all the three points. De Kock’s influential performance earned her the Player of the Match award. Reflecting on her display, she admitted that she had a slo...

Banyana Banyana succumbed to a 5-0 defeat to a formidable Japan in the first of the two international friendlies played at the Nagai Ballgame Field. AntoniaMaponya The gap on the FIFA international ranking charts proved the fifth-placed Japan had an upper hand over a 58th-ranked South Africa. In the critical moment of the game, the first minute of the match, Japan scored their first goal. A lapse in concentration from the visiting South Africa resulted in a clean goal from the boot of Kiko Seike, who beat Andile Dlamini on the first post. With Japan commanding a lion's share of the possession, forcing Banyana Banyana to play more back passes, pinning them in their half, and committing errors. Banyana Banyana skipper, Refiloe Jane, lost the ball on the verge of her box, which resulted in Japan winning possession, and Nagano spotted the run of Sieke and played her through; the latter slotted it past Andile Jane to give Japan their second goal in the 18th minute. With South Africa cha...

Banyana Banyana will continue their preparations for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) when they take on world-ranked Japan in an international friendly on Saturday, 6 June. Thembi Kgatlana The encounter forms part of South Africa's build-up to the continental showpiece in Morocco next month, where the former African champions will look to bring back the title they won in 2022. For senior forward Thembi Kgatlana, the two-match series against Japan presents an ideal opportunity for the team to measure itself against one of the world's leading football nations while fine-tuning key aspects of their game ahead of WAFCON. "We always want to play against the best teams in the world to measure ourselves, to see where the progress is and how far we can get to where we want to be," said Kgatlana. The striker believes facing a highly ranked opponent such as Japan will provide valuable lessons both on and off the pitch. "There are things that we are worki...

Cape Town-born coach and football administrator Shilene Booysen has taken on one of the most important leadership roles in South African women’s football after being appointed Head of Women’s Football at Stellenbosch FC Women ahead of the club’s debut season in the Hollywoodbets Super League. Shilene Booysen  © Gallo Images Booysen arrives at Stellenbosch with extensive international and domestic experience, having recently worked together with Scottish coach Pauline Hamill in the FIFA-sponsored Afghan Women United side during the FIFA Unites: Women’s Series 2025 in Morocco. The tournament marked an important moment for Afghan women’s football as the refugee-based team competed on the international stage under FIFA’s support.  TUKS vs Stellenbosch For Booysen, however, her latest appointment represents more than simply stepping into another technical role. It is a chance to shape the future of women’s football at one of South Africa’s fastest-growing clubs. “This role means a ...

The spotlight will firmly be on JVW FC and newcomers Ramatlaohle FC when they officially open the 2026 Hollywoodbets Super League season on Friday night at UJ Soweto Campus. Kick-off is scheduled for 7pm, with free entrance for supporters, while fans can also catch the action live on SABC Sport and YouTube. Amanda Mthandi After narrowly missing out on the title last season, JVW returns determined to challenge once again after finishing second in 2025 with an impressive record of 21 wins, six draws and just three defeats. Interestingly, for the second consecutive season, JVW will begin their campaign against a newly promoted side after defeating Ezemvelo 3-2 in last year’s opener. JVW attacker Amanda Mthandi says excitement has been building within the squad after months of waiting for the season to finally begin. “I’m excited about the start of the new season. We’ve been training since the last week of January and there were uncertainties about the league, but now that we know who we a...