All of South Africa will unite behind Bafana Bafana on Thursday night as they take to the World Cup stage to face Mexico in the opening match of the tournament.
As messages of good luck pour in from around Mzansi, several World Cup-winning Springboks have also shared their support.
In a ‘shout out’ from Vodacom, the likes of Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, Jesse Kriel, Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nche and Franco Mostert reminded Bafana that everyone is behind them ahead of kick off against Mexico.
SPRINGBOKS SHOW SUPPORT TO BAFANA BAFANA
Recently, Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, expressed his support to Bafana Bafana on the eve of the FIFA World Cup 2026, writing this letter below:
“Dear SAFA Leadership, coach Hugo Broos and team,
On behalf of the South African Rugby Union, I extend our warmest wishes to Bafana Bafana as you embark on your FIFA World Cup campaign.
Your dedication, discipline and passion for the game embody the spirit of South African sport and inspire unity across our nation.
We stand proudly alongside you, confident that your journey will showcase resilience, teamwork and excellence on the world stage. May this campaign bring success and strengthen the pride of all South Africans.
With respect and solidarity,
Mark Alexander
President, SA Rugby”
Here all the kick off times and fixtures for the first week of the World Cup
| Date | Match | Venue | Kick-off (SAST) |
| Thursday, June 11 | Mexico vs. South Africa | Mexico City Stadium | 21:00 |
| Friday, June 12 | South Korea vs. Czech Republic | Estadio Guadalajara | 04:00 |
| Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina | Toronto Stadium | 21:00 | |
| Saturday, June 13 | United States vs. Paraguay | Los Angeles Stadium | 03:00 |
| Qatar vs. Switzerland | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium | 21:00 | |
| Sunday, June 14 | Brazil vs. Morocco | New York New Jersey Stadium | 00:00 |
| Haiti vs. Scotland | Boston Stadium | 03:00 | |
| Australia vs. Türkiye | BC Place (Vancouver) | 06:00 | |
| Germany vs. Curaçao | Houston Stadium | 19:00 | |
| Netherlands vs. Japan | Dallas Stadium | 22:00 | |
| Monday, June 15 | Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador | Philadelphia Stadium | 01:00 |
| Sweden vs. Tunisia | Estadio Monterrey | 04:00 | |
| Spain vs. Cabo Verde | Atlanta Stadium | 18:00 | |
| Belgium vs. Egypt | Seattle Stadium | 21:00 | |
| Tuesday, June 16 | Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay | Hard Rock Stadium (Miami) | 00:00 |
| Iran vs. New Zealand | Los Angeles Stadium | 03:00 | |
| France vs. Senegal | New York New Jersey Stadium | 21:00 | |
| Wednesday, June 17 | Iraq vs. Norway | Boston Stadium | 00:00 |
| Argentina vs. Algeria | Kansas City Stadium | 03:00 | |
| Austria vs. Jordan | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium | 06:00 | |
| Portugal vs. DR Congo | Houston Stadium | 17:00 | |
| England vs. Croatia | Dallas Stadium | 20:00 | |
| Ghana vs. Panama | Toronto Stadium | 23:00 | |
| Thursday, June 18 | Uzbekistan vs. Colombia | Mexico City Stadium | 02:00 |
