Hours before the kick-off of the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa, Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams’ partners Absa have released an Open Letter from the skipper to South Africans.
The letter themed SIBUYILE pulls heartstrings, telling the story of a come-back kid, which is South Africa in this instance. Sibuyile is a Nguni word that loosely translates to ‘We are back’. Meanwhile, the opener at Estadio Azteca will be Bafana’s first since participating as hosts in 2010. It was the two nations that also opened the African World Cup 16 years ago, ironically.
South Africa missed three World Cup editions after hosting having quailed twice before in 1998 and 2002. The team has come a mile since then under the guidance of Hugo Broos. The Belgian coach has led Bafana to two Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments and finished on the podium in one of the tournaments while also leading the side back to the Promised Land that is the World Cup.
Bafana will also play Czech Republic and South Korea in group A with Broos targeting to progress out of the group. There is a sentiment of belief the team can make the knockout stage especially with the tournament now extended to 48.
In the letter the goalkeeper talks about the hard journey the team took, it’s resilient spirit which reflects South Africans, the pride and belief of what’s possible including the promise of a fight at the tournament co-hosted by the USA and Canada as well.
Here is how the Letter reads
Dear South Africa
Sibuyile.
We are back.
Not just back at the FIFA World Cup 2026™…
Back to believing again.
Back to dreaming again.
Back together again.
For 16 years, we South Africans have waited for this moment.
Sixteen years of hoping to see our flag rise again on football’s biggest stage.
Sixteen years of remembering what it felt like when the world stood still for South African football.
Sixteen years of carrying the pain of coming close, falling short and still refusing to stop believing.
But through it all, we South Africans never gave up on ourselves,on our spirit oron the national team.
And now, we have the honour of carrying that belief back onto the world stage.
Sibuyile …
This word speaks to every South African who knows what it means to fight their way back.
To rebuild.
To rise after disappointment.
To keep going even when the journey feels long.
This moment belongs to all of us.
To the young boys playing football in the streets until the sun goes down, with mom screaming “Sibusiso, yeyi wena buya endlini!”
To the girls who dream of wearing the South African badge with pride one day.
To the mothers and fathers sacrificing everything for their children’s dreams.
To the supporters who filled stadiums even when results didn’t go their way.
To the generation who watched the2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™and promised themselves that one day, South Africa would return, not as hosts, but as contenders.
That day is here.
For the first time in a long time, some South Africans will not only watch theFIFA World Cup 2026™ from home but also experience it with us in the stadiums, carrying our flag alongside the team.
That’s what makes this journey even more special.
Because through Absa Rewards and Visa, ordinary South Africans were given the opportunity to turn a lifelong dream into reality – the chance to stand on the world stage and support our national team where it matters most.
That means something.
It means supporters from Soweto, Polokwane, Gqeberha or Kimberley who never imagined they would see a FIFA World Cup 2026™ match live, can now become part of this story.
It means fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, friends and families will create memories that will last forever.
Because football has always been about more than 90 minutes.
It’s about belonging.
It’s about pride.
It’s about shared moments that bring a country together.
And as players, knowing that South Africans will be there with us, singing with us, believing with us, carrying the spirit of home to every stadium, gives this moment even greater meaning.
Sibuyile …
And as we prepare to represent South Africa on the world stage once again, we’re proud to do so alongside Visa,FIFA World Cup 2026™ worldwide partner,andAbsa,which continue to invest in the power of possibility, progress and African excellence.
Because moments like these are bigger than sport. They are about what becomes possible when people, communities and partners come together behind a shared dream.
When we walk onto that FIFA World Cup 2026™ stage, we’ll walk with more than just a badge on our chest.
We’ll carry a nation.
The pride of our people.
The resilience of our country.
The spirit of every South African who still believes in what’s possible.
Sibuyile is not just about returning to the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
It’s about returning hope.
Returning pride.
Returning belief.
This team understands the responsibility of this moment.
We’re not promising perfection.
We’re promising hearts.
We’re promising a fight.
We’re promising that every single time we wear this jersey, we’ll give everything we have for this country.
Because South Africa deserves a team that reflects its spirit.
Strong.
Resilient.
Fearless.
United.
Sixteen years later, the world will see us again.
But more importantly, South Africa will see itself again.
Sibuyile …
And this time, we’re going together.
Ronwen Williams
SA Football captain and Team Visa athlete