South Africa
Young underdogs with nothing to lose
Back after 16 years, a young home-grown squad handed the cruelest opener — and now must win out.
Watchability3/5
Drama4/5
Star power2/5
Title shot1/5
Team rating
71TEAM
- Attack70
- Midfield70
- Defense73
Next matches
- Next upvs South KoreaEstadio BBVA, GuadalupeJun 24
The read
South Africa are back at the World Cup after 16 years away, a young and expressive squad built mostly from their own domestic league rather than big European clubs. They drew the cruelest possible opener — the host nation, in the very first match of the tournament, in front of a roaring Azteca crowd — and lost 0-2. Now it's a pure survival story: win out, or go home with the experience.
The fan’s readA young, home-grown, expressive squad dealt the cruelest opener imaginable and still swinging — the purest "nothing to lose" in Group A.
The cast
- Hugo BroosBelgian veteran who won the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon; has said South Africa will be his final coaching jobmanager
- Lyle FosterThe most expensive South African player ever and the focal point of the attack.ClubBurnley
- Percy TauThe experienced star who returned after a falling-out with his own federation.ClubQatar SC / veteran
- Ronwen Williams ★A shootout-saving cult-hero keeper who once stopped four penalties in one game.ClubMamelodi Sundowns
- Relebohile MofokengA thrilling young winger out of the South African league — the breakout name to clock now.ClubOrlando Pirates
Key moments
- 2010