South Africa's first outing at the Women's Football World Cup in France is expected to be a game changer for them. Despite making history by qualifying for the tournament in June, the ladies game has failed to attract substantial investment, and it's hoped their inclusion can kick-start more interest. Here's CGTN's Julie Scheier with more from Johannesburg.

A new era will dawn when Banyana Banyana step onto the pitch for their World Cup opener against Spain, in France.

JANINE VAN WYK SOUTH AFRICA CAPTAIN "It's really exciting for us. It's been a long journey up until now. There are many times when I remember us failing to qualify for a World Cup, 3 times that is for my duration that I've been with the national team, and it's finally happened. And it's finally real."

Women's football in South Africa has been grossly underserved. Apart from one main sponsor, Sasol, the team has attracted very little investment to bring the game on par with men's soccer.

JANINE VAN WYK PREPARING FOR WORLD CUP DEBUT "If we continue to do well, and uplift women's football, and show that, even without a professional league at the moment, you know the national team still shines, I believe that there'll be so many more sponsors that will come on board to invest in women's football, not only the national team, but at club level too, so the girls can start making careers out of playing the game."

BAMBANANI MBANE SOUTH AFRICA DEFENDER "I wanna play overseas but I think I need to work very hard for it. It's not going to be easy, and going to the World Cup, I need to focus and switch on. It's going to help me because my dream is to play overseas."

JULIE SCHEIER JOHANNESBURG "The World Cup is unchartered territory for both Banyana Banyana and South Africa. The team will be carrying the hopes of a nation in France. And we wish them good luck! JS, CGTN, Johannesburg, SA."