Scouting report: A quick look at South Africa’s FIFA World Cup run

By: Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press Posted: 4:23 PM CDT Thursday, Jun. 25, 2026

VANCOUVER - Few soccer analysts expected South Africa to be Canada's next World Cup opponent.

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VANCOUVER - Few soccer analysts expected South Africa to be Canada's next World Cup opponent.

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VANCOUVER – Few soccer analysts expected South Africa to be Canada’s next World Cup opponent.

Bafana Bafana earned their first spot in the tournament’s knockout stage on Wednesday when they upset South Korea 1-0 in group-stage play.

The result saw the squad finish second in Group A and set up a round-of-32 matchup with Group B runner-up Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday.

South Korea's Lee Gi-hyeok (3), South Africa's Evidence Makgopa (17) and South Korea's Kim Min-jae (4) leap for a header during the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Africa and South Korea in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Addison Simmons)

Here’s a look at South Africa’s team:

Thapelo Maseko played hero on Wednesday, scoring in the 63rd minute to give South Africa the win over South Korea, a country that came into the tournament sitting 25th in FIFA’s rankings.

The South Africans opened their World Cup run with a 2-0 loss to Mexico before drawing Czechia 1-1 thanks to a late goal from Teboho Mokoena.

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch said on Thursday that he’s expecting a tough opponent.

“Physically in transition and around the goal, being very decisive and athletic and powerful. So those are things that we usually are equipped with, and so that will challenge our ability to manage that,” Marsch said.

“And then they defend well. What you saw is Korea hardly had a chance in the match, just because (South Africa) were dominant physically, and they were organized defensively.”

PRE-WORLD CUP FIFA RANKING: 60, the lowest-ranked team in Group A.

THE HISTORY BOOKS: The nation is back in the tournament for the first time since hosting in 2010, and hasn’t previously made it out of the group stage.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Striker Lyle Foster, who plays his club soccer for EFL Championship side Burnley.

HEAD COACH: Former Brugge manager Hugo Broos has overseen the team since 2021 and has said he will retire after the tournament.

FUN FACT: The team’s nickname, Bafana Bafana, means “the boys, the boys” in Zulu.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2026.