South Africa World Cup 2026 squad: Hugo Bruce's latest selection for March friendlies ahead of the final

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The South Africa World Cup 2026 squad is taking shape ahead of its big comeback.

he did his top world cup 2026 After defeating Rwanda in their final game of qualifying in October 2025 and a qualification group with one of the fewer fans Teams in the tournamentBafana Bafana may feel that there is no pressure on them right now.

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Thousands of their fans are sure to come to the US, much like Mamelodi Sundowns fans at the 2025 Club World Cup. His team will not attend Favorite.

In their last game at the World Cup, they defeated powerhouse France, but were eliminated in the group stage, becoming the first hosts to suffer such a fate.

However, they provided one of the greatest moments in World Cup history as Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the opening goal of the tournament and completely thrilled the 84,000 fans at Soccer City.

They were the first African nation to host the World Cup and were expected to go far, but have since failed to qualify for the World Cup.

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At the 2023 African Cup of Nations they produced their best ever performance at a major tournament, finishing fourth, as they did in 2007. They have used this momentum to push themselves towards a place at the World Cup in 2026.

squad

South Africa World Cup 2026 squad: March selections

• GK: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)

• GK: Reinaldo Leiner (Sekhukhun United)

• GK: Ricardo Goss (Civele)

• GK: Sipho Chen (Orlando Pirates)

• GK: Darren Johnson (AmaZulu)

• DF: Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City)

• DF: Khlumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns)

• DF: Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns)

• DF: Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire)

• DF: Samukele Kabini (Molde)

• DF: Nkosinthi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates)

• DF: Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns)

• DF: Ime Okon (Hannover 96)

• DF: Dino van Rooyen (Orlando Pirates)

• DF: Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers)

• DF: Vuyo Letlapa (Sekhukhune United)

• DF: Olawethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union)

• MF: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns)

• MF: Thelante Mbatha (Orlando Pirates)

• MF: Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)

• MF: Yaya Sithole (Tondela)

• MF: Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns)

• MF: Luc Le Roux (Portsmouth)

• MF: Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City)

• MF: Mthetheleli Mathiane (Stellenbosch)

• FW: Oswin Apolis (Orlando Pirates)

• FW: Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates)

• FW: Lyle Foster (Burnley)

• FW: Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)

• FW: Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol)

• FW: Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United)

• FW: Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates)

• FW: Thapelo Murray (Mamelodi Sundowns)

• FW: Ikram Renners (Mamelodi Sundowns)

• FW: Mohou Nakota (Al-Ettifaq)

• FW: Patrick Maswangani (Orlando Pirates)

• FW: Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates)

• FW: Yanela Mbathuma (Orlando Pirates)

fixtures

recent results

• March 31, 2026: South Africa 1-2 panama, Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa

• March 27, 2026: South Africa 1-1 Panama, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa

• January 04, 2026: South Africa 1-2 Cameroon, Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco

• January 01, 2026: Zimbabwe 2-3 South Africa, Tangier Grand Stadium, Tangier, Morocco

• December 29, 2025: egypt 1-0 South Africa, Tangier Grand Stadium, Tangier, Morocco

• December 22, 2025: South Africa 2-1 Angola, Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh, Morocco

• December 16, 2025: South Africa 1-0 ghana, Dobsonville Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa

• November 15, 2025: South Africa 3-1 Zambia, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gkebarha, South Africa

• October 14, 2025: South Africa 3-0 Rwanda, Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela, South Africa

• October 10, 2025: Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa, Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa

• September 9, 2025: South Africa 1-1 Nigeria, Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa

• September 5, 2025: Lesotho 0-3 South Africa, Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa

• June 10, 2025: South Africa 2-0 Mozambique, Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, South Africa

• June 6, 2025: South Africa 0-0 Tanzania, Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, South Africa

• March 25, 2025: Benin 0-2 South Africa, Félix Houphouët Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, Ivory Coast

• March 21, 2025: South Africa 0-3 Lesotho, Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, South Africa

Manager

Who is the manager of South Africa?

Belgian hugo bruce He is playing his last role as a manager with South Africa in the 2026 World Cup.

He led them to a fourth-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and then led their qualification efforts for the World Cup.

Before this he has managed 11 club teams along with Cameroon.

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star player

Who is the star player of South Africa?

ronwen williams The captain of South Africa and arguably their most important player.

He has held the armband since 2021 and has been crucial in their recent resurgence. In 2023 he saved four penalties against Cape Verde in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals, helping South Africa to their best performance since 2000.

Interestingly, he was the first player to be penalized under FIFA's new eight-second rule for missing a corner in a Club World Cup match against Ulsan HD.

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