Most of the players expected to be there have made it, with the likes of Thapelo Morena only missing out through injury.
We round up the numbers of the selection, which expose a lack of experience that could be a concern.
0 – There are two uncapped players in the squad, both defenders. Centre-back Olwethu Makhanya from Philadelphia Union and Kaizer Chiefs left-back Bradley Cross have been included, their selections coming a little out of the blue but indicative of Broos’ mindset that defence is a worry. It suggests too that he could go five at the back with three centre-backs and two wing-backs.
3 – There are three players in the squad with over 50 caps – Ronwen Williams (63), Teboho Mokoena (56) and Themba Zwane (53). If you add Aubrey Modiba (47), then those four players have 219 caps combined, or 44% of the entire squad total.
8 – Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns each have eight players in the squad. Combined, that is 62% of the selection. No other club has more than one – Kaizer Chiefs, Siwelele, Molde, Philadelphia Union, Polokwane City, Chicago Fire, Hannover 96, Tondela, Burnley and AEL Limassol.
13 – There are also 13 players in the squad with 10 caps or fewer … it feels too much. Seven players have five caps or fewer. That lack of experience will be the biggest challenge for Broos.
19 – Nineteen of the 26 players ply their trade in the Betway Premiership. The seven overseas-based players are defenders Samukelo Kabini (Molde, Norway), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union, USA), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, USA) and Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), midfielder Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal), and forwards Lyle Foster (Burnley, England) and Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol, Cyprus).
20 – The youngest player in the squad is defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who is 20. He could yet be one of the most influential at the World Cup, though.
26 – Broos opted for the biggest squad he could take, with 26 players. Teams could choose anywhere from 23-26 players, which had to include three goalkeepers. Broos had hinted in March he might not take 26, but decided to in the end.
26.8 – The average age of the squad is 26.8 years as of Bafana Bafana’s first game against co-hosts Mexico on June 11. There are five players aged 30 or older and 12 who are 25 or younger.
36 – The oldest player in the squad is Themba Zwane, who is 36. He will be 37 on August 3.
65 – There are 65 international goals among the squad, though 39 of those (60%) come from four players – Themba Zwane (12), Lyle Foster (10), Teboho Mokoena (9) and Oswin Appollis (8). A total of 17 of the 26 players have found the back of the net for Bafana before.
499 – Ahead of Friday’s friendly clash with Nicaragua, there are 499 caps between the 26 players in the squad. That is an average of 19 caps per player … not a lot.
6 500 000 – FIFA pays clubs compensation of between US$12 000 and US$15 000 per day that a player is in camp from the moment it starts until the team is eliminated from the World Cup. If we take that at the maximum rate, a single Bafana player could earn his club around R6.5-million, even if the side goes out in the first round. The longer they go in the tournament, the bigger the pot becomes. Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have eight players at the World Cup, which would earn them over R50-million in compensation from FIFA. Even for a club like Siwelele or Polokwane City, sending one player earns them not far off the same as winning the Nedbank Cup.