Bafana Bafana reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in their history on Thursday, 25 June 2026, beating South Korea 1-0 in Monterrey to finish second in Group A.
South Africa finished second in Group A on four points, completing a turnaround that began with a 2-0 defeat to hosts Mexico and a 1-1 draw against Czechia.
The win over South Korea sealed a place no Bafana side had reached before.
How Bafana Bafana reached the World Cup knockouts
Bafana started slowly in Monterrey and spent much of the first half under pressure, with South Korea dominating possession.
Aubrey Modiba cleared an early effort off the line, and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams held firm as the Koreans pressed for an opening before the interval.
The breakthrough came early in the second half. A substitute carried the ball down the left and slipped a low pass to the edge of the box, where Thapelo Maseko shifted onto his left foot and finished into the near corner for the only goal of the match.
South Korea threw bodies forward in the closing stages and controlled the ball for long spells, but the Bafana defence held with composure.
When the final whistle blew, coach Hugo Broos sank to the turf as his substitutes raced onto the pitch to celebrate.
Thapelo Maseko’s history-making World Cup goal
Maseko’s strike carried weight beyond the result. At 22 years and 225 days, he became the second youngest goalscorer for South Africa at a World Cup.
The winger had threatened earlier in the half, forcing a save and dragging another effort over the crossbar.
The forward struggled to put the moment into words afterwards. Maseko described the achievement as “unbelievable” as Bafana players and staff celebrated on the field.
His goal settled a contest South Africa had shaded on chances despite seeing far less of the ball than their opponents.
Where Bafana Bafana finished in Group A
Mexico won Group A with a perfect nine points, scoring six goals and conceding none across their three matches.
South Africa took second on four points from one win, one draw and one defeat. South Korea finished third on three points and missed out on automatic progression.
The result marked a sharp shift from South Africa’s previous World Cup campaigns. Bafana had exited at the group stage in France in 1998, in South Korea and Japan in 2002, and on home soil in 2010.
This was their fourth appearance and their first beyond the opening round.
What is next for Bafana Bafana at the World Cup
South Africa now move to the Round of 32, where they face Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday, 28 June 2026, with kick-off at 21:00 SAST.
Midfielder Teboho Mokoena returns from a one-match suspension for the tie, handing Broos a key option for the knockout opener.
