They were written off. Left for dead. A team that had to win or go home. And when the heat of Monterrey Stadium threatened to melt their dreams, South Africa’s new golden generation held their nerve to carve their names into history.
Bafana Bafana are into the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds for the first time, and they’re not finished yet.
“The team showed that it is capable and strong,” declared match-winner Thapelo Maseko, who fired home the historic 63rd-minute strike against Korea Republic to secure a famous 1-0 victory . “It’s unbelievable; it feels like a dream.”
Substitute Tshepang Moremi, whose pinpoint cross set up the decisive moment, spoke of the belief surging through Hugo Broos’ squad after a campaign that nearly unravelled before it began .
“We’ve made history. It wasn’t easy, but I’m thrilled we pulled it off,” Moremi told FIFA. “Our focus now turns to winning the next match: we know we can do it.”
The journey from crisis to celebration has been remarkable. An opening night nightmare against co-hosts Mexico saw South Africa lose 2-0 and finish with nine men after two red cards . A second match scraped a late draw with Czechia. The final group game was win-or-bust against South Korea, who sat 26 places above Bafana in the FIFA World Rankings .
“We grew into the tournament game by game, and that is what matters most in football,” explained Relebohile Mofokeng to FIFA. “You must learn from past mistakes to sharpen up for the next match; failing to do so only leads to defeat.”
And grow they did. Against South Korea, Bafana registered over four times more shots than they managed against Mexico, playing with an attacking freedom that defied their status as tournament underdogs .
The revival is no accident. South African football is experiencing a golden era. A bronze medal at the 2024 CAF Africa Cup of Nations – their first continental podium finish since lifting the trophy in 1996 – injected belief into this crop of players. Domestically, Mamelodi Sundowns finished as CAF Champions League runners-up in 2025 before winning the title in 2026, just weeks before the World Cup.
“South African football is evolving season after season,” said Mofokeng. “This generation is truly incredible. I believe I am playing alongside some of the best players in the world… We just need to keep working hard to elevate our nation on the global football map.”
Nineteen of South Africa’s 26-man squad ply their trade in their home leagues, a testament to the growing strength of domestic football . The defensive unit – featuring 20-year-old Mbekezeli Mbokazi, already earmarked as a future captain, and 22-year-old Ime Okon – has matured into a formidable barrier .
Now comes the ultimate test. South Africa face Canada at the Los Angeles Stadium on 28 June, against a co-host stripped of home advantage after finishing second in their group . The teams have met only once before, a friendly in 2007 that South Africa won 2-0.
“We’re going to watch their games and we’re going to prepare accordingly for that match,” said defender Aubrey Modiba. “Hopefully we can win again and progress to the next round, but it will be a tough game.”
Canada is ranked 31st in the world and will start as favourites against 54th-ranked South Africa . But Bafana Bafana have heard that story before.
“We will fight to go as far as possible,” Mofokeng told FIFA. “We truly believe in our ability to achieve this; we will trust in God and give everything we have to get where we want to be.”
They’ve already made history. Now, they want to write another chapter.
