Janine van Wyk

2.1. Childhood, Education, and Early Experiences

Van Wyk grew up in Germiston, also in Gauteng, and began playing soccer at the young age of six. She attended Hoërskool Alberton, an Afrikaans-medium school, which notably did not have a soccer program. Her initial formal club experience was with the Springs Home Sweepers in KwaThema. A significant personal milestone in her early life was coming out as a lesbian at the age of 15, a public declaration that highlighted her courage and authenticity from a young age. Her family is of Afrikaner^Afrikaans descent.

3.1. Early Club Activities

Before founding JVW F.C., Van Wyk commenced her professional journey with the Moroka Swallows. She later joined the Palace Super Falcons, a women's football club based in Thembisa. During her tenure with the Super Falcons, she was an integral part of the team that achieved three consecutive league titles, a period she described as "memorable," stating that in those victories, the team was "untouchable." Fans of football affectionately nicknamed her "Booth" during this period.

3.2. Founding and Development of JVW F.C.

In 2013, Janine van Wyk founded her own football club, JVW F.C., which bears her initials. The club's primary mission was to focus on the development of female football players and provide a platform for them to advance to higher levels in the sport. Starting with just one team that competed in the Sasol League in 2013, JVW F.C. experienced significant growth over the years, cultivating young female athletes and expanding to comprise five teams. Van Wyk herself served as a player-coach for the club. In 2016, the JVW First team secured the Gauteng Sasol League title but ultimately lost 1-0 to Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies in the Sasol League National Championship final. Three years later, in 2019, JVW F.C. once again triumphed in the Gauteng Sasol League and subsequently became the National Champions by defeating Limpopo representatives Maindies Ladies 2-0 in the final. This victory secured their place in the newly launched (2019) National Women's League, marking a significant step for the club in South African women's football.

3.3. Overseas Club Career

Janine van Wyk's talent extended beyond South African borders, leading her to play for several clubs in international leagues, further establishing her reputation as a formidable defender.

On December 21, 2016, she made a landmark move by signing with the Houston Dash in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States, becoming the first South African player to join the league. She made 17 appearances for the Dash in the 2017 season and returned for the 2018 NWSL season, where she played in 20 games. However, her time with the Dash concluded on October 1, 2018, when she was waived and placed on re-entry waivers, though her rights were not claimed by another team.

In August 2019, Van Wyk signed with Danish club Fortuna Hjørring, competing in the Elitedivisionen. Unfortunately, her tenure there was brief. Following a knee injury sustained during a training session, she returned to South Africa for rehabilitation. On January 14, 2020, Van Wyk and Fortuna Hjørring mutually agreed to terminate her contract to allow her to focus entirely on her recovery.

Van Wyk made her return to Europe in July 2020, signing with Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) club Glasgow City. She made her debut on August 21, 2020, in a UEFA Women's Champions League match against VfL Wolfsburg. Her SWPL debut was delayed for several months due to a combination of her ongoing knee injury and the suspension of the league amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. With Glasgow City, she secured a significant achievement, winning the 2020-21 Scottish Women's Premier League.

4.1. National Team Debut and Early Activities

Van Wyk made her debut for the South Africa women's national team in 2005 against Nigeria during the African Women's Championship. A notable early highlight of her international career occurred on November 7, 2012, when she scored a stunning free kick in a match against Nigeria in the 2012 African Women's Championship semifinals. This goal, the only one of the match, secured Banyana Banyana's first-ever victory over Nigeria since the inception of the national team in 1993, and it crucially eliminated Nigeria from the tournament. Despite this victory, South Africa went on to lose 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea in the final, finishing as runners-up.

4.2. Olympic Appearances

Janine van Wyk proudly represented South Africa at two Summer Olympic Games. She was a key member of the South African squad that participated in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom. In this tournament, she featured in all three group stage matches. South Africa was eliminated in the first round after losses to Sweden (1-4) and Canada (0-3), though they achieved a 0-0 draw against the then-reigning FIFA Women's World Cup champions, Japan, in their final group game. Van Wyk expressed immense pride in representing her country at the Olympics, despite the team's early exit. She also participated in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In this tournament, South Africa again exited in the group stage after losses to Sweden (0-1) and China (0-2), concluding their campaign with a 0-0 draw against host nation Brazil.

4.3. Major National Team Records and Milestones

Van Wyk achieved several significant records throughout her illustrious national team career. She earned her 100th cap for South Africa on August 11, 2014, in a 2-0 victory against Namibia. At that time, she became the second most capped South African women's player, with her teammate Portia Modise reaching her 110th cap in the very same match.

On March 28, 2016, Van Wyk etched her name in South African football history by making her 125th appearance against Cameroon, which made her the most capped player, regardless of gender, in South African football history. She continued to extend this record, earning her 150th cap for South Africa on September 18, 2018. By the time of her retirement, she had accumulated a remarkable 185 international caps, solidifying her status as the most capped African women's national team player.

4.4. Major Tournaments and Captaincy

As captain, Janine van Wyk led Banyana Banyana through pivotal moments in their history. She was the first captain to lead the South African women's national team to a FIFA Women's World Cup appearance, an achievement realized at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France. During this tournament, South Africa faced tough competition and was eliminated in the group stage after losses to Spain (1-3), China (0-1), and Germany (0-4).

Under her captaincy, Banyana Banyana achieved their first-ever WAFCON title in 2022, defeating hosts Morocco 2-1 in the final. Although Van Wyk did not start the final match, her leadership was instrumental in the team's historic triumph. Her captaincy also spanned several WAFCON campaigns where South Africa finished as runners-up in 2008, 2012, and 2018, and secured third place in 2006 and 2010.

4.5. National Team Retirement

Janine van Wyk played her final match for South Africa on December 4, 2023. This farewell game saw Banyana Banyana secure a 2-0 home victory over Burkina Faso, which ensured their qualification for the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Her retirement marked the end of an era for South African women's football, leaving behind an indelible legacy.

6.1. Club Honours

• Scottish Women's Premier League: 2020-21 (with Glasgow City)

6.2. National Team Honours

• Women's Africa Cup of Nations:
  • Winner: 2022
  • Runner-up: 2008, 2012, 2018
  • Third place: 2006, 2010

6.3. Individual Honours

• South African Football Association Best Female Player: 2010
• COSAFA Women's Championship Player of the Tournament: 2011
• Ekurhuleni Sports Awards Ekurhuleni Sports Woman of the Year: 2012
• Gauteng Sports Awards Sports Personality of the Year: 2015
• International Federation of Football History & Statistics CAF Women's Team of the Decade: 2011-2020
• International Federation of Football History & Statistics All-time Africa Women's Dream Team: 2021

7.1. Contribution to South African Women's Football

Van Wyk's most significant contribution to South African women's football is undoubtedly the founding and development of JVW F.C.. Established in 2013, the club was born from her vision to nurture female football talent and provide a crucial platform for players to pursue higher levels of the sport. Under her guidance, both as a player and coach, JVW F.C. grew from a single team to five, successfully developing young female athletes and winning significant regional titles, eventually securing a spot in the National Women's League. This initiative has been vital in creating structured pathways for aspiring female footballers in South Africa, addressing a critical need in the sports landscape. Her efforts through JVW F.C. have directly contributed to enhancing the visibility, professionalism, and developmental infrastructure of women's football within the country.

7.2. Pioneering Role

Janine van Wyk stands as a true pioneer in South African sports and society. Her achievement of becoming the most capped player for South Africa, across both men's and women's football, with 185 appearances, is an unparalleled feat that highlights her longevity, dedication, and consistent performance at the highest level. Her groundbreaking move to the National Women's Soccer League in the United States marked a significant milestone, opening doors for other African players and showcasing the global potential of South African talent. As captain, she led Banyana Banyana to their first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup appearance and, crucially, to their historic Women's Africa Cup of Nations victory in 2022, inspiring a nation and elevating the status of women's football. Beyond her athletic prowess, Van Wyk's personal journey, including her public coming out as a lesbian at a young age, further solidifies her role as a pioneering figure, breaking down societal barriers and advocating for authenticity and acceptance within the sporting community and beyond.