Bafana Bafana have the honour of kicking off the World Cup round of 32. Here are all of the other fixtures, kickoff times and blue-chip teams.
World Cup Round of 32 lineup
South Africa gets a new-look round of 32 underway when they meet co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles. Here’s the rest of the confirmed lineup after a dramatic final group match where Algeria and Austria played out a 3-3 thriller to eventually break Iranian hearts.
All kickoff times listed below are in South Africa.
- South Africa vs Canada: Sun 28 Jun, 21:00
- Brazil vs Japan: Mon 29 Jun, 19:00
- Germany vs Paraguay: Mon, 29 Jun, 22:30
- Netherlands vs Morocco: Tue 30 Jun, 03:00
- Ivory Coast vs Norway: Tue 30 Jun, 19:00
- France vs Sweden: Tue 30 Jun, 23:00
- Mexico vs Ecuador: Wed 1 Jul, 03:00
- England vs DR Congo: Wed 1 Jul, 18:00
- Belgium vs Senegal: Wed 1 Jul, 22:00
- USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina: Thu 2 Jul, 02:00
- Spain vs Austria: Thu 2 Jul, 21:00
- Portugal vs Croatia: Fri 3 Jul, 01:00
- Switzerland vs Algeria: Fri 3 Jul, 05:00
- Australia vs Egypt: Fri 3 Jul, 20:00
- Argentina vs Cabo Verde: Sat 4 Jul, 00:00
- Colombia vs Ghana: Sat 4 Jul, 03:30
Bafana’s blueprint to beat Korea
Hugo Broos’ side produced a defensive masterclass, dealing with whatever South Korea threw at them and then repeatedly looking dangerous on the counter. Thapelo Maseko was the match-winner with a 63rd-minute strike. In truth, the Sundowns man could have had a hat-trick. Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng caught the eye with his quick thinking, decision-making, penetrative passing and direct running. Maseko’s role as an inverted winger on the right side proved to be a constant thorn in the side of the Mexicans. Sphephelo Sithole shrugged off a poor display on the opening day against Mexico and looked more assured against South Korea. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Mokoena come back into the side.
How will South Africa line up for their historical clash with Canada?
There’s no need to alter a back five which has started all three World Cup games so far. So, skipper Ronwen Williams will be protected by the same back four. 20-year-old Mbekezeli Mbokazi and 22-year-old Ime Okon produced superb displays against Korea, belying their ages. Sundowns duo Aubrey Modiba and Khuliso Mudau were typically tigerish and efficient. In midfield, it’s expected that Teboho Mokoena will come back into the side after serving his suspension. It’s then an intriguing decision for Hugo Broos up front. Does he stick with Oswin Appollis and Evidence Makgopa, or opt for Tshepang Moremi and Lyle Foster?
Williams; Mudau, Okon, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mokoena, Mbatha; Maseko, Mofokeng, Appollis; Makgopa.
