The winger’s winning goal for Bafana Bafana against South Korea secured a place in the second round and added another name to the country’s exclusive list of World Cup goalscorers.
South Africa has now had 11 different players score at the tournament across four editions.
SOUTH AFRICA’S HALL OF FAME
The first South African to find the net at a World Cup was Benni McCarthy. He achieved the feat during the 1998 tournament in France with a goal against Denmark before adding another strike four years later against Spain in 2002. His two goals leave him tied as the nation’s joint-leading scorer in World Cup history.
Shaun Bartlett also scored twice at France 1998, grabbing a brace in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Saudi Arabia.
At the 2002 tournament in Korea and Japan, several more players joined the list.
Quinton Fortune and Teboho Mokoena scored in the 2-2 draw with Paraguay, while Siyabonga Nomvethe netted the winner against Slovenia to hand South Africa their first-ever World Cup victory. Legendary captain Lucas Radebe also got on the scoresheet against Spain.
When South Africa hosted the World Cup in 2010, Siphiwe Tshabalala produced one of the competition’s most memorable opening goals with his famous strike against Mexico. Later in the tournament, Bongani Khumalo and Katlego Mphela scored in the memorable 2-1 victory over France.
BAFANA BAFANA AT THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP
The 2026 tournament has introduced two new names.
Midfielder Teboho Mokoena converted a crucial penalty against the Czech Republic before Thapelo Maseko fired home the decisive goal in the 1-0 victory over South Korea to send Bafana Bafana into the second round for the first time.
ALL-TIME BAFANA BAFANA WORLD CUP GOALSCORERS
- Benni McCarthy – 2 goals (1998, 2002)
- Shaun Bartlett – 2 goals (1998)
- Quinton Fortune – 1 goal (2002)
- Siyabonga Nomvethe – 1 goal (2002)
- Lucas Radebe – 1 goal (2002)
- Teboho Mokoena – 1 goal (2026)
- Siphiwe Tshabalala – 1 goal (2010)
- Bongani Khumalo – 1 goal (2010)
- Katlego Mphela – 1 goal (2010)
- Thapelo Maseko – 1 goal (2026)
With Maseko’s latest strike, South Africa’s World Cup scoring legacy continues to grow, and the current generation has already secured its place in the country’s football history.
Hugo Broos‘ side will battle co-hosts Canada in the round of 32 at the Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday 28 June at 21:00.
