Bafana seek tournament-saving win
South Africa will go in search of a tournament-saving win when they face South Korea in their final Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set for Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, Mexico, on Thursday morning SA time. (Kick-off at 3am CAT).
FORM
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Bafana Bafana head into the match placed at the bottom of Group A after recording a 0-2 loss to Mexico in the tournament’s opener, followed by a 1-1 draw against Czechia in Atlanta last week, which saw Teboho Mokoena’s late penalty cancel out Michal Sadilek’s opener – and keep South Africa clinging to life in the tournament.
In order to advance beyond the group stage of a World Cup for the first time ever, Bafana have to defeat South Korea.
That would likely clinch second place in the group (depending on the result of the other match between Czechia and Mexico, played concurrently in Mexico City) and automatic progression, or third-place and a good chance of being one of the top eight ranked such finishers among the 12 groups.
Yet South Korea will be tough opponents for South Africa. The Taegeuk Warriors came from behind to impressively defeat Czechia 2-1 in their opener in Zapopan, and were a touch unlucky to lose 1-0 to Mexico at the same venue in their second match last week.
The Asian side needs only a draw to guarantee a top-two finish and progression into the knockout phase for the fourth time in their World Cup history.
South Africa will be without both Themba Zwane and Mokoena due to suspension, though Yaya Sithole returns to availability after his one-game ban.
Argentinian referee Facundo Tello will take charge of the match.
WHAT THE TEAMS ARE SAYING
South Africa coach Hugo Broos
“I'm very sorry to say this, but they [South Korea] are like Duracells: you plug them in, and they start running, and they run for 90 minutes, so it will not be easy. Yes, South Korea is a little bit in between Mexico and Czechia: it’s a very disciplined team. This is a characteristic of the Eastern teams; they are always disciplined, you saw that in their game against Czechia. They also have good players, a few key players in the team."
South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo
“The result [against Mexico] is disappointing, but I believe the players executed the plans we prepared for this game well. [...] South Africa is a team with good speed. We need to prepare tactically well.”
KEY PLAYERS
South Africa – Oswin Appollis
After his bright showing against Czechia, Oswin Appollis will hope to use his speed and attacking aggression to cause problems for the South Korea defence. South Africa will need to be more expansive and creative against the Asian side, and Appollis’s running power could play a key role.
South Korea – Son Heung-min
Though the veteran forward has not enjoyed a great tournament thus far, his vast experience and penchant for scoring vital goals cannot be ignored. Son’s intelligence, movement and willingness to sacrifice for the good of the team makes him a standout threat to Bafana Bafana’s hopes.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
In head-to-head terms, this will be the first match between South Africa and South Korea.
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