The South African public was treated to one of the all-time great sporting days in the country’s history today with Banyana Banyana and the Proteas’ superb performances and historic results at the Fifa Women’s World Cup and the Netball World Cup respectively.
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Women’s sport in general has always been frowned upon in certain parts and unfortunately South Africa is one of those parts.
Blessed beyond measure with top performing national teams like the Proteas (men’s cricket team), Springboks, Blitzboks, and to an extent Bafana Bafana; along with a host of well catalogued provincial teams that shine bright in nationally and on the international scene whenever the opportunity arise to do so.
So teams like Banyana Banyana the Proteas netball team, the Proteas women’s cricket team and the Springbok Women’s side don’t feature too high on the average sporting fan’s list of priorities.
But when you get days like today with achievements like the ones Banyana and the Proteas produced attached to it, it is much deeper than just being a jovial day which will serve long in the memory. It helps break down the stereotypes and stigmas (that I don’t care to mention here) often associated with women’s sport and women in sport.
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BANYANA BANYANA SHOW ITALY FLAMES ON BIGGEST STAGE
Banyana stunned and impressed the world in equal measure when they claimed a last-gasp come-from-behind 3-2 win over the much higher ranked Italy to book their place in the round of 16 at the Fifa Women’s World Cup.
It is the first time EVER that a South African national soccer team has made it out of the group stage of the global showpiece tournament. Sorry, Bafana Banafa, but Banyana Banyana have just eclipsed everything you’ve every achieved.
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PROTEAS TAKE STING OUT OF SILVER FERNS IN SOUTH AFRICA
A few hours later in the same day, the Proteas did the almost unthinkable when courtesy of a buzzer beater they managed to snatch an enthralling 48-48 draw with the world number side, the Silver Ferns. The share of the spoils means that the Proteas still have a mathematic chance of qualifying for the Netball World Cup semi-finals.
For that to happen, the Proteas need to beat Uganda by a goal difference of +75.
Permutations aside, the Proteas showed that they have what it takes to compete with the best of the best on the biggest stage of all.
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THRILLING RESULTS WITH LONG LASTING EFFECTS
What today’s results also prove are that women’s sports and female athletes in South Africa deserve an equal standing as their male compatriots.
Judging by the buzz of excitement, from various federations and fans on social media, we are heading in that direction.
Long may it continue and long may Banyana and the Proteas continue to defy that odds and break down stereotypical barriers.
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