Noko Matlou eyes last 16 in Women's World Cup

Banyana were eliminated at the group stage of the inaugural 2019 World Cup in France, losing to Spain, China and Germany. The Germans were the only team in the group to make it to the quarter-finals.

However, the veteran, who is in the preliminary World Cup squad, says they need to do even better this time around.

"I think we have to get out of group stages. From there we'll take each game at a time," she told SABC Sport.

Once again, South Africa will be the lowest-ranked country in the group. At 54, the African champions will compete against Sweden, who are currently third in the world rankings, Argentina, who are 28th, and Italy, sitting 16th. The former striker-turned-defender, though, believes sometimes numbers are just that.

"Sometimes the ranking is just a ranking but on the day of the match, you perform to the best of your ability. Anything is possible we have seen that," she explained.

Banyana take on Costa Rica in an international friendly in Christchurch, New Zealand five days before the start of the tournament.

Matlou believes the North Americans will provide the essential World Cup practice.

"I think they play similar [football] as Sweden because, in our first game, we are playing against Sweden. So, it will help us to see how we are with our preparation."