Banyana Banyana and the Netherlands clash at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday as both sides look to cement a spot in the last 8 of the Women’s World Cup 2023.
Netherlands vs South Africa
Women’s World Cup – Last 16
Sunday 6 August – 04:00
Sydney Football Stadium
Netherlands
Netherlands we runners-up in this global competition four years ago, and have been impressive this year – topping a group that contained the defending champions the USA.
They kick-off the tournament with a narrow 1-0 victory over Portugal, before they played out a 1-1 draw with the USA in a rematch of the 2019 World Cup final.
They will head into this match as clear favourites after beating Portugal in their opening match, and thumping Vietnam 7-0 in their last group stage encounter.
They are incredibly strong and difficult to defend against, and South Africa will have to be wary of the aerial threat posed by Andries Jonker’s side.
To Win Match
Netherlands 1/4 | Draw 44/10 | South Africa 8/1
South Africa
South Africa are competing in their second Women’s World Cup after previously appearing at the 2019 tournament, where they finished bottom of their group without a point to their name.
But the Queens of South African football have since put that disappointment and many others behind them as they made history by winning the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 2022 before giving such an incredible account of themselves at this year’s Wold Cup.
They have shown great resilience since losing to Sweden in their opener, but will still need to be at their best if they are to trouble the stubborn defence of the Dutch women.
While they will go into Sunday’s contest as massive underdogs, South Africa have proven that they have the firepower to trouble their opposition after scoring six goals in the group stage.
Verdict: DRAW OR SOUTH AFRICA – 2/1
The opening and closing 10 minutes of this encounter will be very crucial – particularly for Banyana who have conceded due to lack of concentration during this period.
They have let in six goals in total, and I expect the Netherlands to aim to capitalise on this. But Banyana have great strength and I back their determination to push them through to the next round.
