Bafana Bafana head into their fourth World Cup finals, looking to exit the group stages for the first time in 2026.
It was a baptism of fire for the side in 1998, and two wins in nine games at World Cups tells its own story heading into the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
They head into the 2026 finals with a group experienced in continental action and a coach in Hugo Broos who was at Mexico 1986 as a player for Belgium.
They have a marquee opener against co-hosts Mexico on June 11, before a clash with Czech Republic in Atlanta (June 18) and South Korea in Monterrey (June 24).
Here is a recap of what happened in the their nine previous World Cup finals matches.
FRANCE 3 SOUTH AFRICA 0
12 June, 1998 – Group C
Bafana Bafana’s debut at the global finals came at the 1998 finals in France where they met the hosts in their opening game. It did not go according to plan as Christophe Dugarry scored the opener on 36 minutes, before an unfortunate own goal from Pierre Issa doubled the advantage. A young Thierry Henry added the cherry on top for the home side, who would go on to lift the trophy.
South Africa: Hans Vonk, Mark Fish, Pierre Issa, Willem Jackson, David Nyathi, Lucas Radebe capt., John Moshoeu, Quinton Fortune, Brendan Augustine (Helman Mkhalele 56’), Phil Masinga, Benedict McCarthy (Shaun Bartlett 89’). Coach: Philippe Troussier.
DENMARK 1 SOUTH AFRICA 1
18 June, 1998 – Group C
A game both teams will probably feel they should have won, perhaps especially Bafana after Denmark finished the game with none players. South Africa also had Alfred Phiri sent off. Allan Nielsen gave Denmark a 13-minute lead, before Benni McCarthy equalised early in the second half to score the country’s first goal at the World Cup. Quinton Fortune later hit the crossbar as Bafana came close to a win.
South Africa: Hans Vonk, Mark Fish, Pierre Issa, David Nyathi (Delron Buckley 89’), Lucas Radebe capt., Quinton Fortune, Helman Mkhalele, John Moshoeu, Brendan Augustine (Alfred Phiri 46’), Shaun Bartlett (Phil Masinga 78’), Benedict McCarthy. Coach: Philippe Troussier.
SAUDI ARABIA 2 SOUTH AFRICA 2
24 June, 1998 – Group C
Bafana led early on and then had to come from behind to draw level, though another point would not be enough to see them advance. In the end, they would have needed to win by three goals to advance. Shaun Bartlett game Bafana the lead, before two penalties flipped the game in Saudi Arabia’s favour. South Africa got a penalty one minute from the end and Bartlett converted for his second of the game.
South Africa: Hans Vonk, Mark Fish, Pierre Issa, Willem Jackson (Delron Buckley 46’), David Nyathi, Lucas Radebe capt., Quinton Fortune (Doctor Khumalo 67’), Helman Mkhalele, John Moshoeu, Shaun Bartlett, Benedict McCarthy (Jerry Sikhosana 46’). Coach: Philippe Troussier.
PARAGUAY 2 SOUTH AFRICA 2
2 June, 2002 – Group B
Bafana were back at the finals four years later as they were this time co-hosted by South Korea and Japan. They opened with a 2-2 draw against Paraguay as they came from two goals down to rescue a point. Roque Santa Cruz and Francisco Arce had Paraguay well ahead 10 minutes into the second half, but when Teboho Mokoena (the original one!) scored, it was game-on. Fortune then held his nerve to convert a penalty a minute from the end.
South Africa: Andre Arendse, Aaron Mokoena, Pierre Issa (McDonald Mukansi 27’), Lucas Radebe capt., Bradley Carnell, Cyril Nzama, MacBeth Sibaya, Teboho Mokoena, Quinton Fortune, Sibusiso Zuma, Benedict McCarthy (George Koumantarakis 78’). Coach: Jomo Sono.
SLOVENIA 0 SOUTH AFRICA 1
8 June, 2002 – Group B
Bafana Bafana claimed their first ever win at the World Cup as they overcame Slovenia in a gritty tie that was low on quality and all about the result. Siyabonga Nomvete scored the winning goal, either with his buttock or thigh, in a scrappy goal that summed up the game. Still, a win is a win at the World Cup!
South Africa: Andre Arendse, Aaron Mokoena, Lucas Radebe capt., Bradley Carnell, Cyril Nzama, MacBeth Sibaya, Teboho Mokoena, Quinton Fortune (Jabu Pule 84’), Sibusiso Zuma, Siyabonga Nomvete (Delron Buckley 71’), Benedict McCarthy (George Koumantarakis 80’). Coach: Jomo Sono.
SPAIN 3 SOUTH AFRICA 2
12 June, 2002 – Group B
A game that went down a little in infamy as Bafana failed to chase an equaliser, thinking they had enough to go through to the next stage despite the fact they were losing 3-2. But in the end it was Paraguay who advanced as they scored a late goal against Slovenia and went through on goals scored (6 vs 5 for Bafana) after the teams both had a +0 goal-difference. Raul scored twice for Spain to go with a Gaizka Mendieta strike, while McCarthy and Lucas Radebe were on target for Bafana.
South Africa: Andre Arendse, Aaron Mokoena, Lucas Radebe capt. (Thabang Molefe 80’), Bradley Carnell, Cyril Nzama, MacBeth Sibaya, Teboho Mokoena, Quinton Fortune (Jacob Lekgetho 83’), Sibusiso Zuma, Siyabonga Nomvete (George Koumantarakis 74’), Benedict McCarthy. Coach: Jomo Sono.
SOUTH AFRICA 1 MEXICO 1
11 June, 2010 – Group A
The opening game of the 2010 World Cup which South Africa hosted, and which will be repeated in 2026, though this time Mexico will be the home team.
Soccer City was abuzz with expectant fans and vuvuzelas, and it was the home side who took the lead thanks to Siphiwe Tshabalala’s screamer. It remains one of the most iconic moments in South African football history. Mexico equalised through their veteran captain Rafael Márquez 11 minutes from the end as the teams shared the spoils.
South Africa: Itumeleng Khune, Siboniso Gaxa, Lucas Thwala (Tsepo Masilela 46’), Bongani Khumalo, Aaron Mokoena capt., Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Steven Pienaar (Bernard Parker 83’), Teko Modise, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Katlego Mphela. Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira.
SOUTH AFRICA 0 URUGUAY 3
16 June, 2010 – Group A
A desperately disappointing night in Pretoria as Bafana were outclassed by a very good Uruguay team. Diego Forlan scored twice, once from the penalty spot, while Alvaro Pereira got a late third. Bafana were undone by a red card for goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, which would not have been given under current rules, and their goal-difference was left in tatters.
South Africa: Itumeleng Khune, Siboniso Gaxa, Tsepo Masilela, Bongani Khumalo, Aaron Mokoena capt., Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Surprise Moriri 57’), Kagisho Dikgacoi, Steven Pienaar (Moeneeb Josephs 79’), Teko Modise, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Katlego Mphela. Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira.
SOUTH AFRICA 2 FRANCE 1
21 June, 2010 – Group A
Bafana finished the 2010 tournament on a high with victory over a France team that were in disarray with internal squabbles. The win in Bloemfontein saw them finish third in the pool, again only on goal-difference behind Mexico as they became the first host nation to go out in the group stages. Bongani Khumalo headed Bafana in front before Katlego Mphela added a second. Yoann Gourcuff had been sent off for France after 25 minutes.
South Africa: Moeneeb Josephs, Anele Ngcongca (Siboniso Gaxa 55'), Bongani Khumalo, Aaron Mokoena capt., Tsepo Masilela, Macbeth Sibaya, Thanduyise Khuboni (Teko Modise 78'), Steven Pienaar, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Bernard Parker (Siyabonga Nomvete 68'), Katlego Mphela. Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira