Overview
- Bafana Bafana sealed their place with a 3-0 win over Rwanda in Mbombela as Nigeria’s 4-0 defeat of Benin confirmed South Africa top of Group C with 18 points.
- It is South Africa’s first World Cup reached through qualification since 2002, following a campaign that recovered from a late 0-0 draw with Zimbabwe.
- Hugo Broos credited a three‑year focus on mentality and clear selection criteria, and he singled out assistant Helman Mkhalele and support staff for praise.
- A largely locally based XI drawn heavily from Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates underscored the domestic pipeline driving the national team’s resurgence.
- FIFA’s three‑point deduction for fielding ineligible midfielder Teboho Mokoena tightened the run‑in, while Broos confirmed he will retire after the 2026 World Cup and has turned attention to AFCON 2025, where South Africa face Angola, Egypt and Zimbabwe.