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Bafana Staring XI vs South Korea Announced

Lethabo Kganyago

Lethabo Kganyago

June 25, 2026

Bafana Bafana have announced the starting XI for the crucial Group A decider of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against South Korea.

Bafana endured a horrid return to the global stage after a 16-year absence, going down 2-0 to co-hosts Mexico on the opening day of the tournament with nine mean after two players received their marching orders.

They then came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Czechia in their second group outing in Atlanta last week.

Sphephelo Sithole who got a red card in the opener is back in contention for selection while the team will miss Themba Zwane and Teboho Mokoena, who scored the only goal at the tournament so far, owing to suspension.

Hugo Broos’ men now they need nothing but victory against South Korea in Monterrey to keep their hopes of making history of getting out of the group at the World Cup alive.

South Korea, meanwhile, started their tournament with a come-from-behind victory over Czech Republic, before losing 1-0 to Mexico.

They were the only Asian nation to go unbeaten through the qualifiers but have a mixed record against African teams at the World Cup, winning one, drawing one and losing two.

This is how they are lining up:

Bafana XI: Williams, Mudau, Okon, Mbokazi, Modiba, Mbatha, Sithole, Mof

Subs: Chaine, Goss, Matuludi, Ndamane, Kabini, Sibisi, Makhanya, Cross, Adams, Moremi, Foster, Rayners, Sebelebele

South Korea XI: Seung-gyu, H. Lee, Min-jae, G. Lee, Seol, Paik, In-beom, T. Lee, K. Lee, Hee-chan, Oh

Subs: Hyeonwoo, Bum-keun, Moon-hwan, Tae-hyeon, Wi-je Cho, D. Lee, J. Lee, Gastrop, Eom, Kim, Park, Bae, Cho, Hyun-Jun, Son