South Africa national soccer team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
South Africa

Nickname	Bafana Bafana
Association	South African Football Association (SAFA)
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach	Hugo Broos
Captain	Ronwen Williams
Most caps	Aaron Mokoena (107)
Top scorer	Benni McCarthy (31)
Home stadium	Various
FIFA code	RSA
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	74 2 (7 February 2019)
Highest	16 (August 1996)
Lowest	124 (December 1992)
First international
Argentina 0–1 South Africa  (Buenos Aires, Argentina; 9 July 1906)
Biggest win
Australia 0–8 South Africa  (Adelaide, Australia; 17 September 1955)
Biggest defeat
South Africa 1–9 England  (Cape Town, South Africa; 17 July 1920)
World Cup
Appearances	4 (first in 1998)
Best result	Round of 32 (2026)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	12 (first in 1996)
Best result	Champions (1996)
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Appearances	1 (first in 2005)
Best result	Quarter-finals (2005)
African Nations Championship
Appearances	2 (first in 2011)
Best result	Quarter-finals (2011)
Confederations Cup
Appearances	2 (first in 1997)
Best result	Fourth place (2009)
Medal record Africa Cup of Nations Gold 1996 South Africa Team Silver 1998 Burkina Faso Team Bronze 2000 Nigeria and Ghana Team Bronze 2023 Ivory Coast Team Afro-Asian Cup of Nations Gold 1997 South Africa and Saudi Arabia Team COSAFA Cup Gold 2002 Southern Africa Team Gold 2007 Southern Africa Team Gold 2008 South Africa Team Gold 2016 Namibia Team Gold 2021 South Africa Team Silver 2025 South Africa Team Bronze 2000 Southern Africa Team Bronze 2005 Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia Team Bronze 2013 Zambia Team Bronze 2023 South Africa Team

The South Africa national football team, also known as Bafana Bafana, represents South Africa in men's international football. The team is managed by the South African Football Association (SAFA). They are famous for their yellow and green uniforms.

Bafana Bafana is one of Africa's most popular national teams. They played their first match way back in 1906. However, they were not allowed to play internationally for many years. This was due to unfair laws in South Africa that separated people by race.

The team returned to the world stage in 1992. Since then, they have qualified for the FIFA World Cup four times. This includes hosting the tournament in 2010. South Africa was the first African nation to host the World Cup! Their biggest win was in 1996 when they hosted and won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Bafana Bafana Story

Early Days and Challenges

Football came to South Africa in the late 1800s. British soldiers brought the game with them. For a long time, football in South Africa was affected by unfair rules. These rules separated people based on their race. Different football groups were formed for different racial groups.

In 1906, a South African team toured South America. They played 12 matches and won 11 of them! The players on this tour were all white.

The South African team that toured South America in 1906. They won 11 out of 12 matches!

South Africa helped create the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 1956. But because of the country's unfair racial laws, they could not send a mixed-race team. This led to South Africa being banned from CAF and later from FIFA. This ban lasted for many years. In 1976, they were officially removed from FIFA.

In 1991, as the unfair racial laws ended, a new football association was formed. This allowed South Africa to finally rejoin FIFA. They could now compete in international tournaments again.

Returning to the World Stage

After being away from international football for almost 20 years, South Africa played its first game on 7 July 1992. They beat Cameroon 1–0 in Durban.

The team quickly made a name for itself. In 1996, just five years after rejoining, South Africa hosted and won the 1996 African Cup of Nations. This was a huge achievement! They even reached 16th place in the FIFA World Rankings.

They continued their success, finishing second in the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations. This also led to their first-ever appearance at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. They drew against Denmark and Saudi Arabia.

In the early 2000s, South Africa continued to perform well. They finished third in the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations. They also qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan. They drew with Paraguay and won their first World Cup match against Slovenia 1–0. They narrowly missed out on the next round due to goal difference.

South Africa hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup. They were the first African nation to do so! They drew 1–1 with Mexico and famously beat France 2–1. However, they did not make it past the group stage. This made them the first host nation to exit in the first round.

South Africa hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup and played against Uruguay.

Recent Adventures: AFCON and World Cup

The 2010s had some ups and downs for Bafana Bafana. They sometimes struggled to qualify for big tournaments. However, they did qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. They surprised many by beating hosts Egypt 1–0 in the Round of 16. They then lost to Nigeria in the quarter-finals.

In 2024, South Africa had a fantastic run at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. They started with a loss but then beat Namibia 4–0. They drew with Tunisia to reach the knockout stages.

In the Round of 16, they caused a huge upset. They defeated Morocco, a team that finished fourth at the 2022 World Cup! Captain Ronwen Williams was a hero in the quarter-finals. He saved four penalties in a shootout against Cabo Verde. South Africa won 2–1 on penalties. They finished third in the tournament, their best result since 2000!

South Africa also qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in October 2025. This ended a 16-year wait since their last appearance. They were drawn into Group A with Mexico, South Korea, and the Czech Republic.

In December 2025, South Africa played in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. They finished second in their group after two wins and one loss. They won against Angola (2–1) and Zimbabwe (3–2). They lost to Egypt (1–0). Their journey ended in the Round of 16, where they lost 2–1 to Cameroon.

In June 2026, South Africa began their 2026 World Cup journey. They lost 2–0 to Mexico in their first match. Then, they drew 1–1 with Czechia, thanks to a late penalty from Teboho Mokoena. In their final group game, they beat South Korea 1–0 with a goal from Thapelo Maseko. This amazing result meant South Africa qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup for the very first time! Their next match is against Canada in the Round of 32.

Team Spirit and Identity

What Does "Bafana Bafana" Mean?

"Bafana Bafana" is the special nickname given to the national team by its fans. It comes from the Zulu language and means "Young Men." But it's often used to mean "Go boys! Go boys!" or "all of the boys." It shows the idea of togetherness, like the African concept of ubuntu.

Journalists started using the name in 1992 after a big win against Cameroon. At first, the football association wasn't sure about the name. They thought it might not be good for business or might sound like they were calling grown men "boys."

Over time, the name became very popular. After some legal discussions, the South African Football Association (SAFA) eventually bought the rights to use "Bafana Bafana" in 2011.

Where They Play: Home Stadiums

The South Africa national football team doesn't have just one home stadium. They play their matches in many different stadiums across the country.

The biggest stadium they use is the 94,700-seater Soccer City in Soweto, near Johannesburg. Other popular stadiums include the Atteridgeville Super Stadium near Pretoria, and the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

They have also played friendly matches in other countries. These include Germany, Hong Kong, and England.

Their Look: Kits and Badges

Bafana Bafana has used different logos on their jerseys over the years. They often have two main logos at the same time.

The first is the Protea emblem. This beautiful flower is a national symbol of South Africa. It shows the team's connection to all South African sports.

The second is the South African Football Association (SAFA) badge. This badge usually has a star above it. The star celebrates the team's big win in the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations.

Sometimes, a third logo has been used. This one shows two stars as footballers on the field. It represents the team's dreams and achievements.

Team Supporters

When the team returned to international football in 1992, Kappa supplied their kits. After 1998, the German company Adidas took over. They supplied the kits until 2010.

Then, Puma became the kit sponsor from 2011 to 2013. From 2014 to 2020, the American company Nike provided the kits. After that, French company Le Coq Sportif was the official kit provider until early 2026.

In 2026, Adidas returned as the kit provider for the South African National Team. This was just in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup! The team also has other sponsors like Castle Lager and Energade.

Meet the Team

Current Players

Here are the players who were part of the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and a friendly match in May 2026.
Caps and goals are correct as of 25 June 2026, after the match against South Korea.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Ronwen Williams (captain)	(1992-01-21) 21 January 1992 (age 34)	65	0	Mamelodi Sundowns
16	1GK	Sipho Chaine	(1996-12-14) 14 December 1996 (age 29)	4	0	Orlando Pirates
22	1GK	Ricardo Goss	(1994-04-02) 2 April 1994 (age 32)	5	0	Siwelele
2	2DF	Thabang Matuludi	(1999-01-14) 14 January 1999 (age 27)	3	0	Polokwane City
3	2DF	Khulumani Ndamane	(2004-02-05) 5 February 2004 (age 22)	5	0	Mamelodi Sundowns
6	2DF	Aubrey Modiba (fifth captain)	(1995-07-22) 22 July 1995 (age 30)	44	1	Mamelodi Sundowns
14	2DF	Mbekezeli Mbokazi	(2005-09-19) 19 September 2005 (age 20)	13	1	Chicago Fire
18	2DF	Samukele Kabini	(2004-03-15) 15 March 2004 (age 22)	6	0	Molde
19	2DF	Nkosinathi Sibisi	(1995-09-22) 22 September 1995 (age 30)	21	0	Orlando Pirates
20	2DF	Khuliso Mudau	(1995-04-26) 26 April 1995 (age 31)	35	1	Mamelodi Sundowns
21	2DF	Ime Okon	(2004-02-20) 20 February 2004 (age 22)	6	0	Hannover 96
24	2DF	Olwethu Makhanya	(2004-04-30) 30 April 2004 (age 22)	1	0	Philadelphia Union
25	2DF	Kamogelo Sebelebele	(2002-07-21) 21 July 2002 (age 23)	4	0	Orlando Pirates
26	2DF	Bradley Cross	(2001-01-30) 30 January 2001 (age 25)	1	0	Kaizer Chiefs
4	3MF	Teboho Mokoena (fourth captain)	(1997-01-24) 24 January 1997 (age 29)	53	10	Mamelodi Sundowns
5	3MF	Thalente Mbatha	(2000-03-06) 6 March 2000 (age 26)	18	3	Orlando Pirates
13	3MF	Yaya Sithole	(1999-03-03) 3 March 1999 (age 27)	30	1	Tondela
23	3MF	Jayden Adams	(2001-05-05) 5 May 2001 (age 25)	9	1	Mamelodi Sundowns
7	4FW	Oswin Appollis	(2001-08-25) 25 August 2001 (age 24)	30	9	Orlando Pirates
8	4FW	Tshepang Moremi	(2000-10-02) 2 October 2000 (age 25)	11	1	Orlando Pirates
9	4FW	Lyle Foster	(2000-05-09) 9 May 2000 (age 26)	28	10	Burnley
10	4FW	Relebohile Mofokeng	(2004-10-23) 23 October 2004 (age 21)	15	0	Orlando Pirates
11	4FW	Themba Zwane (vice-captain)	(1989-08-03) 3 August 1989 (age 36)	55	12	Mamelodi Sundowns
12	4FW	Thapelo Maseko	(2003-11-11) 11 November 2003 (age 22)	9	2	AEL Limassol
15	4FW	Iqraam Rayners	(1995-12-19) 19 December 1995 (age 30)	17	4	Mamelodi Sundowns
17	4FW	Evidence Makgopa	(2000-06-05) 5 June 2000 (age 26)	29	6	Orlando Pirates

Who Leads the Team: Coaches

The coaching staff helps the team play their best.

Current head coach Hugo Broos

Position	Staff
Team Manager	Vincent Tseka
Head coach	Hugo Broos
Assistant Coach	Helman Mkhalele
Goalkeeper Coach	Grant Johnson
Team Organiser	David Molwantwa

Many coaches have led Bafana Bafana over the years. Here are some of them:

Amazing Achievements and Records

World Cup Journeys

South Africa has played in the FIFA World Cup four times. They did not make it past the first round in their first three appearances.

Their first World Cup was in France 1998. They drew two games but exited the tournament. In Korea/Japan 2002, they won their first World Cup match ever against Slovenia! They finished third in their group.

As hosts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, they famously beat France 2–1. They also drew with Mexico. But they were the first host country to not get past the group stage.

In 2026, South Africa made history! They qualified for the knockout stages for the first time ever. This was a huge moment for the team.

FIFA World Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1962	Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1966	Not admitted									Not admitted
1970	Banned due to unfair laws									Banned due to unfair laws
1974
1978
1982
1986
1990
1994	Did not qualify									4	2	1	1	2	4
1998	Group stage	24th	3	0	2	1	3	6		8	6	1	1	11	3
2002		17th	3	1	1	1	5	5		8	7	1	0	13	3
2006	Did not qualify									10	5	1	4	12	14
2010	Group stage	20th	3	1	1	1	3	5		6	2	1	3	5	5
2014	Did not qualify									6	3	2	1	12	5
2018										8	3	1	4	11	11
2022										6	4	1	1	6	2
2026	Round of 32	TBD	3	1	1	1	2	3		10	5	3	2	14	9
2030	To be determined									To be determined
2034
Total:4/15	Round of 32	17th	11	2	5	4	12	19		66	37	12	17	87	56

Africa Cup of Nations Triumphs

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a very important tournament for African teams. South Africa has had great success here.

In 1996, they hosted and won the tournament, becoming champions! They also finished second in 1998 and third in 2000 and 2023.

Africa Cup of Nations record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1957	Qualified, later disqualified due to unfair laws									Qualified, later disqualified
1959	Banned due to unfair laws									Banned due to unfair laws
1962
1963
1965
1968
1970
1972
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994	Did not qualify									6	1	2	3	5	10
1996	Champions	1st	6	5	0	1	11	2		Qualified as hosts
1998	Runners-up	2nd	6	3	2	1	9	6		Qualified as defending champions
2000	Third place	3rd	6	3	2	1	8	6		6	3	2	1	10	5
2002	Quarter-finals	6th	4	1	2	1	3	3		6	3	3	0	9	4
2004	Group stage	11th	3	1	1	1	3	5		4	3	1	0	6	1
2006		16th	3	0	0	3	0	5		10	5	1	4	12	14
2008		13th	3	0	2	1	3	5		6	3	2	1	10	4
2010	Did not qualify									6	2	1	3	5	5
2012										6	2	3	1	4	2
2013	Quarter-finals	6th	4	1	3	0	5	3		Qualified as hosts
2015	Group stage	15th	3	0	1	2	3	6		6	3	3	0	9	3
2017	Did not qualify									6	1	4	1	8	6
2019	Quarter-finals	7th	5	2	0	3	3	4		6	3	3	0	11	2
2021	Did not qualify									6	3	1	2	8	7
2023	Third place	3rd	7	2	4	1	7	3		4	3	1	0	7	3
2025	Round of 16	10th	4	2	0	2	6	6		6	4	2	0	16	5
2027	To be determined									To be determined
2028
Total	1 Title	12/35	54	20	17	17	61	54		84	39	29	16	120	71

Other Big Tournaments

South Africa has also competed in the FIFA Confederations Cup. This tournament brings together champions from different continents. They finished fourth in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, which they also hosted.

FIFA Confederations Cup record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Squad
1992	Banned
1995	Did not qualify
1997	Group stage	8th	3	0	1	2	5	7	Squad
1999	Did not qualify
2001
2003
2005
2009	Fourth place	4th	5	1	1	3	4	6	Squad
2013	Did not qualify
2017
Total	Fourth place	2/10	8	1	2	5	9	13	—

Top Players: Most Games and Goals

Some players have made a big impact on Bafana Bafana. Here are the players with the most appearances and the most goals for the team.

Most Appearances

These players have played the most games for South Africa.

Top Goalscorers

These players have scored the most goals for South Africa.

Benni McCarthy is South Africa's top scorer with 31 goals.

Trophies and Awards

South Africa has won several trophies and awards throughout its history.

Intercontinental

• Afro-Asian Cup of Nations
  • Champions (1): 1997

Continental

• CAF African Cup of Nations
  • Champions (1): 1996
  • Runners-up (1): 1998
  • Third place (2): 2000, 2023

Regional

• COSAFA Cup
  • Champions (5): 2002, 2007, 2008, 2016, 2021
  • Runners-up (1)  : 2025
  • Third place (4): 2013, 2023

Friendly

• Four Nations Tournament (1): 2018

Awards

• FIFA Best Mover of the Year (1): 1996
• African National Team of the Year (1): 1996
• FIFA Confederations Cup Fair Play Award (1): 1997
• Africa Cup of Nations Fair Play Award (1): 2023

Summary

Competition				Total
CAF African Cup of Nations	1	1	2	4
Afro-Asian Cup of Nations	1	0	0	1
Total	2	1	2	5

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Sudáfrica para niños