Australia will attempt to bounce back from two consecutive losses as they face South Africa in a 'home' friendly abroad on Saturday night (AEDT).
The green and gold will host the match at Chelsea's Kingsmeadow - where Matildas star Sam Kerr plays her club football.
Olympic champions Canada defeated Australia in two matches on home soil, with Australia's coach Tony Gustavsson coming under increasing pressure for the team's poor results during his tenure.
South Africa are ranked 54th in women's international football - compared to Australia's 12 - and will go into the match as huge underdogs.
It should be regulation match for the Matildas but a negative result or poor performance will see the scrutiny become larger for Gustavsson.
How to watch Australia vs. South Africa
| Australia | |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, October 8 |
| Time | 22:30 AEDT |
| TV channel | 10 Bold |
| Streaming | 10Play, Paramount+ |
Australia: This friendly will be televised on 10 Bold and streamed for free via 10Play. Paramount+, which requires a subscription, will also show the match.
Australia squad for friendlies against South Africa and Denmark
| Name | Position | Club | Caps (goals) | Junior Club / |
| Mackenzie ARNOLD | Goalkeeper | West Ham United | 29 (0) | Burleigh / Football QLD |
| Steph CATLEY | Back | Arsenal WFC | 102 (3) | East Bentleigh, SE Cougars / Football Victoria |
| Emma CHECKER | Back | Umeå IK | 8 (0) | Cumberland United Women’s / Football SA |
| Alex CHIDIAC | Midfielder | Racing Louisville FC | 19 (1) | Croydon Kings/ Football South Australia |
| Kyra COONEY-CROSS | Midfielder | Hammarby IF | 18 (0) | Ballarat City / Football Victoria |
| Larissa CRUMMER | Forward | Brisbane Roar | 26 (4) | Peninsula Power / Football QLD |
| Caitlin FOORD | Forward | Arsenal WFC | 102 (22) | Warilla Wanderers / Football NSW |
| Mary FOWLER | Forward | Manchester City | 28 (8) | Leichhardt / Football QLD |
| Emily GIELNIK | Forward | Aston Villa | 55 (11) | Redlands United / Football QLD |
| Katrina GORRY | Midfielder | Vittsjö GIK | 83 (15) | Mt Gravatt Hawks / Football QLD |
| Charlotte GRANT | Back | Vittsjö GIK on loan from FC Rosengård | 8 (0) | Cumberland United Women’s FC / Football South Australia |
| Sam KERR | Forward | Chelsea WFC | 112 (59) | Western Knights / Football West |
| Chloe LOGARZO | Midfielder | Kansas City Current | 54 (8) | Carlingford Redbacks / Football NSW |
| Aivi LUIK | Back | BK Hacken | 38 (1) | Palm Beach SC / Football QLD |
| Matilda McNAMARA | Back | AGF Fodbold Women | 0 (0) | Adelaide City FC / Football South Australia |
| Teagan MICAH | Goalkeeper | FC Rosengård | 10 (0) | Brisbane Blue, Brisbane Central / Football QLD |
| Courtney NEVIN | Back | Hammarby IF | 13 (0) | Oakville Ravens / Football NSW |
Australia projected lineups & team news
This Matildas 17-woman squad features predominantly players plying their careers abroad, with the Larissa Crummer (Brisbane Roar) the only A-League Women player.
Four players - Emily van Egmond, Tameka Yallop, Clare Wheeler and Kyah Simon were ruled out with injury after the squad was announced.
Projected Australia line-up (4-4-2): Arnold - Catley, Luik, Checker, Nevin - Logarzo, Gorry, Cooney-Cross, Chidiac - Fowler, Kerr.
Australia vs. South Africa preview and prediction
No excuses for the Matildas in this match with the South Africans struggling in recent times.
They lost 6-0 to Brazil last month, which is a nation Australia defeated 3-1 and drew 2-2 with 12 months ago.
In the first match between the nations, Australia will be looking to find some form after a rough period with Gustavsson at the helm.
Despite attempting to play an attacking style, the Matildas have struggled to score goals and find themselves regularly open at the back.
The hope will be a likely win against South Africa can help kickstart an improvement in form with the World Cup looming on home soil next year.
Prediction: Australia 4-1
