Banyana Banyana fell to a 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands in the Inaugural Winnie Mandela International Challenge at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

Both nations used this encounter as preparations for the upcoming Fifa Women’s World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in France later this year.

The Dutch got off to the perfect start and opened the scoring after two minutes when Sherida Spitse found the net with a good finish.

Banyana started to grow in confidence as the game went on, but the visitors doubled their lead just before the 20 minute mark, with Vivianne Miedema firing the ball past Kaylin Swart, 2-0.

However, the home side did manage to pull a goal back after 33 minutes when Thembi Kgatlana rounded Dutch keeper Sari van Veenendaal to slot the ball home.

The home side should have levelled matter in the 62nd minute when Jermaine Seoposenwe was played through on goal, but the forward failed to make the most of the opportunity.

Desiree Ellis opted to make a change 10 minutes later when she introduced Rhoda Mulaudzi on for Kgatlana.

Banyana pressed forward in search of an equaliser in the closing stages of the game, but struggled to break down the Dutch defence.

However, the Dutch managed to hold on to their lead until the final whistle to win the first ever Inaugural Winnie Mandela International Challenge.