The South Africa national football team, known as “Bafana Bafana” (The Boys), represents South Africa in international association football. controlled by the South African Football Association (SAFA), the team is one of Africa’s most prominent football nations. South Africa made history as the first African nation to host the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking their fourth World Cup appearance overall.
Location and Contact Information
- Governing Body: South African Football Association (SAFA)
- Home Stadium: FNB Stadium (Soccer City), Johannesburg
- Confederation: CAF (Africa)
- World Cup Appearances: 4 (1998, 2002, 2010 as hosts, 2026)
- Best World Cup Result: Group stage
History
South Africa was banned from international football from 1961 to 1992 due to apartheid. They made their FIFA World Cup debut in 1998 and famously hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup — the first African nation to do so. Though they became the first host nation to not advance from the group stage in 2010, their passionate support and the iconic vuvuzela made it a tournament to remember. The 2026 World Cup represents their return to the global stage after qualifying through the CAF qualifying campaign.
Key Achievements
- Africa Cup of Nations: Champions (1996); Runners-up (1998, 2018); Third place (2000, 2025)
- FIFA World Cup: Group stage (1998, 2002, 2010); 2026 qualification
- COSAFA Cup: Champions (2002, 2007, 2008, 2016, 2021)
- Host Nation: 2010 FIFA World Cup (first African host)
Current Squad — Players, Positions, and Clubs (2026)
Goalkeepers
- Ronwen Williams (1) — Goalkeeper — SuperSport United (South Africa)
- Sipho Chaine (16) — Goalkeeper — Orlando Pirates (South Africa)
- Ricardo Goss (22) — Goalkeeper — SuperSport United (South Africa)
Defenders
- Thabang Matuludi (2) — Defender — Polokwane City (South Africa)
- Khulumani Ndamane (3) — Defender — Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Aubrey Modiba (6) — Defender — Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Mbekezeli Mbokazi (14) — Defender — Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa)
- Samukele Kabini (18) — Defender — Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Nkosinathi Sibisi (19) — Defender — Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Khuliso Mudau (20) — Defender — Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Ime Okon (21) — Defender — Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Olwethu Makhanya (24) — Defender — Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa)
- Bradley Cross (26) — Defender — Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa)
Midfielders
- Teboho Mokoena (4) — Midfielder — Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Thalente Mbatha (5) — Midfielder — Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa)
- Themba Zwane (11) — Midfielder — Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Sphephelo Sithole (13) — Midfielder — Gil Vicente (Portugal)
- Jayden Adams (23) — Midfielder — Stellenbosch FC (South Africa)
- Kamogelo Sebelebele (25) — Midfielder — Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Forwards
- Oswin Appollis (7) — Forward — Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Tshepang Moremi (8) — Forward — Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa)
- Lyle Foster (9) — Forward — Westerlo (Belgium)
- Relebohile Mofokeng (10) — Forward — Orlando Pirates (South Africa)
- Thapelo Maseko (12) — Forward — Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Iqraam Rayners (15) — Forward — Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
- Evidence Makgopa (17) — Forward — Orlando Pirates (South Africa)
Notable Players
- Ronwen Williams: First-choice goalkeeper; SuperSport United shot-stopper; 34-year-old veteran
- Teboho Mokoena: Creative hub in midfield at Mamelodi Sundowns; key playmaker for Bafana Bafana
- Thapelo Maseko: Young forward with 8 shots in 2 qualifiers; exciting attacking prospect
- Evidence Makgopa: Forward at Orlando Pirates; 4 goals in qualifying; clinical finisher
- Themba Zwane: 36-year-old veteran; Mamelodi Sundowns legend; 2019 AFCON participant
World Cup 2026 Campaign
South Africa qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the CAF qualifying groups, marking their first World Cup appearance since hosting in 2010. The squad is primarily based around the “Big Three” South African clubs — Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, and Orlando Pirates — with a handful of European-based players like Lyle Foster at Westerlo. Their group stage opponents included some of the world’s best, and Bafana Bafana aimed to advance past the group stage for the first time in their history.
CONTACT US
For more information or to visit us, here are our branch addresses:
- Branch 1: Naungayan Building, Aala Road, Barangay Mankilam, Tagum City, Davao Del Norte
- Branch 2: Sobrecary Street (In front of Velox Gas Station), Tagum City, Davao Del Norte
- Email: gracezelguerra22@gmail.com
- Phone: 09460480491
- Business Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (PH Time)
- Facebook Page: Visit our Facebook Page