Janine van Wyk, born 17 April 1987 in Alberton, South Africa, is a former professional soccer defender and one of the most iconic figures in African football. With over 185 international appearances, she is the most capped South African footballer of all time—male or female—and the highest capped African female player. Renowned for her leadership and defensive resilience, Van Wyk captained Banyana Banyana to historic milestones, including their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance in 2019 and their maiden Africa Women’s Cup of Nations victory in 2022.
Her career spanned top clubs across the globe, with stints at Houston Dash (USA), Glasgow City (Scotland), and Fortuna Hjørring (Denmark). She is also the founder of JVW FC, a club dedicated to creating pathways for young female footballers in South Africa. Off the pitch, she is a passionate advocate for equality, inclusion, and the growth of women’s sport. Today, she is building the next generation as a coach and mentor while continuing to inspire athletes with her story of perseverance and vision.
Janine van Wyk made her international debut for Banyana Banyana in 2005 and quickly established herself as a cornerstone of the team. In 2013, she was named captain, leading the national side into a new era of achievement. Under her leadership, Banyana Banyana reached historic milestones: qualifying for South Africa’s first FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019 and capturing their first Africa Women’s Cup of Nations title in 2022. Her performances were not only consistent but often inspirational, embodying the determination and discipline that made her a respected leader on and off the field.
Her club career has taken her across continents. In addition to representing top South African sides, Janine van Wyk played professionally in the USA for Houston Dash, in Scotland for Glasgow City, in Denmark for Fortuna Hjørring, and in Greece. This international experience broadened her perspective, exposing her to diverse styles of play while reinforcing her role as an ambassador for South African football.
In 2012, she founded JVW FC, a club created to provide pathways for young female players in South Africa. Through JVW, Janine van Wyk has championed the development of grassroots football and created opportunities for girls to pursue their dreams in a system that often lacked resources and recognition. Her commitment to coaching, supported by CAF and UEFA licenses, reflects her vision of building sustainable change for the future of the sport.
Beyond football, Janine van Wyk has become a role model for equality and inclusion. She has been open about her personal journey and has spoken out about the importance of diversity in sport, making her an influential voice for change.
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In this bite-sized podcast, Janine van Wyk reflects on a lesson from her childhood that shaped her competitive spirit and leadership style. Known for her fierce will to win, she recalls how losing—even in small games as a child—was something she found almost unbearable.
Her mother, recognizing this, took it upon herself to teach Janine the value of being a good loser. She deliberately allowed her daughter to experience defeat, reinforcing the importance of humility and sportsmanship. While this was difficult for a young Janine to accept at the time, the experience became foundational to her growth both as an athlete and as a leader.
Van Wyk explains that this early lesson stayed with her throughout her professional career. Whether captaining Banyana Banyana or competing in international leagues, she drew on that grounding to manage setbacks, learn from losses, and maintain resilience. Instead of allowing defeat to define her, she learned to use it as motivation to improve.
The anecdote underscores the importance of family influence, character-building, and the mindset required to succeed at the highest level. It highlights how champions are shaped not only by victories but also by how they handle adversity.
00:00 – Learning how to lose, but still hating it
02:00 – Best player you ever played with
04:45 – Loving Scotland despite the weather
06:00 – Why are you proud to be South African?
Leadership, resilience, equality in sport, and building opportunities for women.
Yes, she has represented South Africa worldwide and speaks internationally.
Yes, she translates lessons from elite sport into business and leadership contexts.
Benni McCarthy is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s greatest soccer players. His career spanned top clubs in Europe, including Ajax Amsterdam, Porto, and Blackburn Rovers. Known for his incredible goal-scoring ability, McCarthy became a household name internationally, especially for his pivotal role in Porto’s victory in the 2004 UEFA Champions League. His contribution […]
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