Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana revived their campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Czechia after Teboho Mokoena converted a late penalty in Atlanta.
The result followed a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the opening match, leaving South Africa with one point from two Group A fixtures.
With one game remaining, South Africa have no margin for error. Victory over South Korea on 25 June would move them onto four points and put them firmly in contention for a place in the knockout stages.
BAFANA BAFANA NEED FOUR POINTS
The expanded 48-team World Cup format sees the top two teams in each of the 12 groups qualify automatically for the Round of 32, while the eight best third-placed sides also progress.
If South Africa defeats South Korea and Mexico overcomes Czechia, Bafana Bafana could finish second in Group A depending on goal difference and other tiebreakers. That scenario would secure automatic qualification.
Even if they end the group stage in third place, four points would still give South Africa a strong chance of advancing as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
NO ROOM FOR MISTAKES
Anything less than a victory is likely to end Bafana Bafana’s World Cup journey. A draw would leave South Africa on just two points, while a defeat would keep them on one, totals that are highly unlikely to be enough to qualify under the third-place ranking system.
The equation for Hugo Broos and his players is therefore straightforward. Beat South Korea and they remain in the hunt for a historic place in the Round of 32. Fail to win, and their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign will come to an end.
HOW HAVE BAFANA BAFANA FARED AT PREVIOUS WORLD CUPS?
France 1998
- Lost 3-0 to France
- Drew 1-1 with Denmark
- Drew 2-2 with Saudi Arabia
- Finished: Third in Group C
Korea/Japan 2002
- Drew 2-2 with Paraguay
- Beat Slovenia 1-0
- Lost 3-2 to Spain
- Finished: Third in Group B
South Africa 2010
- Drew 1-1 with Mexico
- Lost 3-0 to Uruguay
- Beat France 2-1
- Finished: Third in Group A
Russia 2018
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