Also known as: South Africa national football team · The Boys
South Africa's national football team, competing in the 2026 World Cup in North America after qualifying for the knockout stage for the first time.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Standard
… or the UK—as it soon could for South Africa—to be suicidal.Indeed for South Africa, the just-concluded 2026 Fifa World Cup, and during which the vast majority of those watching across Africa chose to—in retaliation for xenophobic attacks—cheer opponent teams against Bafana Bafana …
South Africa's xenophobic tendencies inimical to Ubuntu-inspired cooperationCitizen Digital
… Adams played in all three of South Africa's group-stage matches at the World Cup, as Bafana Bafana reached the Round of 32 for the first time, but did not feature in the knockout defeat by Canada. …
South Africa World Cup midfielder Adams dies at 25Citizen Digital
… Broos has been credited with transforming Bafana Bafana (The Boys) from a team that attracted just 200 spectators to a game into one watched by a capacity 50,000 crowd in Cape Town last March. …
South Africa candidates line up as Broos exit confirmedCitizen Digital
… A 2-0 loss to Mexico only showed why many underestimated Bafana Bafana before the tournament, but it has been a historic competition since then. …
2026 World Cup: The African teams who have been the most impressiveCitizen Digital
… Having reached the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time, Bafana Bafana (The Boys) face Canada on Sunday in Los Angeles in the first last-32 fixture. …
Broos smiles and snarls before South Africa's historic World Cup matchCitizen Digital
… (Photo by Julio Cesar AGUILAR / AFP) Audio By Vocalize South African football fans took to the streets in the early hours of Thursday, honking vuvuzelas and singing in celebration at Bafana Bafana's first-ever qualification for the World Cup knockout rounds. …
South Africans celebrate in the streets after World Cup advanceThe Standard
… The Bafana Bafana, playing in a World Cup for the first time since they hosted it in 2010, were widely written off after their 2-0 loss to Group A winners Mexico in the tournament's curtainraiser. …
South Africa stun South Korea to make World Cup historyCitizen Digital
… It has shocked many across the continent and turned football fans against the Bafana Bafana, as the South African team is known. …
S.Africa anti-migrant hate loses team African support at World CupThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeSouth Africa coach Hugo Broos said "only the grass" resembled a football stadium after a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic in Atlanta kept Bafana Bafana's chances of World Cup progress alive. …
South Africa's Broos takes aim at World Cup covered stadia, drinks breaksCitizen Digital
… Broos has overseen an upturn in Bafana Bafana's fortunes since taking charge five years ago. …
South Africa hold Czechs, keep World Cup knockout dream aliveAn opinion piece argues that South Africa's xenophobic violence, which has driven close to 30,000 people including tens of Kenyans to be deported as of May 2026, stems from economic inequality and broken post-apartheid promises, undermining the spirit of Ubuntu-inspired regional cooperation.
29 July 2026 · The Standard →
An opinion piece argues that South Africa's xenophobic violence, which has driven close to 30,000 people including tens of Kenyans to be deported as of May 2026, stems from economic inequality and broken post-apartheid promises, undermining the spirit of Ubuntu-inspired regional cooperation.
29 July 2026 · The Standard →
South African midfielder Jayden Adams, who represented his country at the ongoing World Cup, died Saturday at age 25. Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie confirmed the death but did not disclose the cause; police have opened an investigation after the body was found at a house in Cape Town.
11 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Hugo Broos has exited as South Africa's head coach, with the Belgian offered a different role such as advisor. Multiple candidates, including Pitso Mosimane, have applied to succeed him as national coach.
10 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Ten African nations are competing in the 2026 World Cup in North America, with several rising to the occasion and putting in impressive performances that have exceeded expectations, including some qualifying for the knockout stages when many predicted they would finish last in their groups.
29 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
South Africa qualified for the World Cup knockout stage for the first time, finishing second in Group A after a 1-0 victory over South Korea. Coach Hugo Broos, 74, will lead Bafana Bafana against Canada in the first last-32 fixture in Los Angeles on Sunday.
27 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
South African football fans celebrated in the streets after Bafana Bafana beat South Korea 1-0 to qualify for the World Cup knockout rounds, the team's first-ever progression past the group stage since hosting the tournament in 2010.
25 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 to advance to the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history, recovering after an opening 2-0 loss to Mexico. Coach Hugo Broos called the achievement historic after working with the team for five years.
25 June 2026 · The Standard →
South Africa's xenophobic violence against migrants and protests demanding undocumented immigrants depart have sparked widespread anger across the region, with African fans withdrawing support for the team at the 2026 World Cup, as seen in Kenyan sports bars where spectators cheered the country's opponents.
20 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
South Africa's Hugo Broos drew 1-1 with the Czech Republic in Atlanta but complained that covered stadiums lack atmosphere and that drinks breaks interrupt play, contrasting them with open-air venues like Estadio Azteca, which he considers true football stadiums.
19 June 2026 · The Standard →
South Africa drew 1–1 with the Czech Republic in a World Cup Group A match on Thursday, with Teboho Mokoena's penalty equalizing Michal Sadilek's early goal. Both teams remain in contention for the knockout stages but will almost certainly need to win their final group fixture to advance.
18 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
South Africa coach Hugo Broos said he will ignore criticism as Bafana Bafana prepare to face the Czech Republic on Thursday following a 2-0 loss to Mexico in their World Cup opener, when the team was reduced to nine men.
18 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya's Harambee Stars have been placed in Group D of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers alongside South Africa, Guinea, and Eritrea, following the draw in Cairo. Though Kenya has already secured automatic qualification as a co-host, the qualifiers will test the team's readiness ahead of the tournament, with head coach Benni McCarthy facing an emotional fixture against his former country South Africa.
19 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya's national football team faces South Africa, Guinea, and Eritrea in Group D of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which run from September 2026 to March 2027. The draw sets up an emotional reunion for Kenya coach Benni McCarthy, who was South Africa's all-time leading scorer and won the UEFA Champions League with FC Porto in 2004.
19 May 2026 · The Standard →