Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk brought up another milestone at the weekend when she played her 125th match for the women's national team, making her the most capped SA footballer of all time.
The 28-year-old has played for Banyana for 11 years and has been a constant fixture in the team for much of that time and moves ahead of former teammate Portia Modise on the list of caps winners. Retired defender Aaron Mokoena has made the most appearances for the men's side with 107.
Van Wyk, who also played 19 times for the women's under-20 side, is preparing to lead the senior team at a second successive Olympic Games in August, where the side will take on some of the world's best, and says there is still much to look forward to both in terms of international and club football.
"I am really proud to have come this far, it's been a great journey for me despite experiencing many ups and downs," Van Wyk said.
"It was quite a struggle for me coming into the team at such a young age and needing to grow as a footballer. Winning 125 caps is not something I ever thought was possible, so I'm extremely happy."
The defender, who played in boys sides up to the age of 15 as there were no girls teams around her Alberton home, says the one match that stands out for her in her career is the victory over Nigeria at the 2012 African Women's Championship.
"It was the first time we had beaten a side from Nigeria in SA women's football history, and after so many disappointments in the past it felt like a great achievement. It was nice too that I scored the only goal of the game."
Van Wyk is targeting a move abroad after the Rio Olympic Games, which would represent a new chapter in her illustrious career. "I'm looking [forward] to go to England after the Olympics, I'm not sure where yet," she says.
"I want to experience more of the football world and gain experience of playing abroad."
She says there are no thoughts of retirement at this stage, but has set her sights on staying in the game when she finally does hang up her boots. "I want to go into coaching when I retire, to stay in the sport that I have such passion for. I want to grow the next generation of Banyana players."
Van Wyk is already doing that through the development of the JvW Girls School Soccer League she set up in Gauteng, as well as her club, JvW FC, that competes in the Gauteng Sasol League.
But all her focus for the next four months is building towards the Olympic Games, and she says it is so far so good for the side.
Van Wyk the most capped SA footballer of all time
Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk brought up another milestone at the weekend when she played her 125th match for the women's national team, making her the most capped SA footballer of all time.
The 28-year-old has played for Banyana for 11 years and has been a constant fixture in the team for much of that time and moves ahead of former teammate Portia Modise on the list of caps winners. Retired defender Aaron Mokoena has made the most appearances for the men's side with 107.
Van Wyk, who also played 19 times for the women's under-20 side, is preparing to lead the senior team at a second successive Olympic Games in August, where the side will take on some of the world's best, and says there is still much to look forward to both in terms of international and club football.
"I am really proud to have come this far, it's been a great journey for me despite experiencing many ups and downs," Van Wyk said.
"It was quite a struggle for me coming into the team at such a young age and needing to grow as a footballer. Winning 125 caps is not something I ever thought was possible, so I'm extremely happy."
The defender, who played in boys sides up to the age of 15 as there were no girls teams around her Alberton home, says the one match that stands out for her in her career is the victory over Nigeria at the 2012 African Women's Championship.
"It was the first time we had beaten a side from Nigeria in SA women's football history, and after so many disappointments in the past it felt like a great achievement. It was nice too that I scored the only goal of the game."
Van Wyk is targeting a move abroad after the Rio Olympic Games, which would represent a new chapter in her illustrious career. "I'm looking [forward] to go to England after the Olympics, I'm not sure where yet," she says.
"I want to experience more of the football world and gain experience of playing abroad."
She says there are no thoughts of retirement at this stage, but has set her sights on staying in the game when she finally does hang up her boots. "I want to go into coaching when I retire, to stay in the sport that I have such passion for. I want to grow the next generation of Banyana players."
Van Wyk is already doing that through the development of the JvW Girls School Soccer League she set up in Gauteng, as well as her club, JvW FC, that competes in the Gauteng Sasol League.
But all her focus for the next four months is building towards the Olympic Games, and she says it is so far so good for the side.
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