South Africa secured its first knockout-round qualification at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, finishing second in Group A behind Mexico.
The advancement sets up a Round of 32 clash against tournament co-hosts Canada on Sunday, June 28.
The national team reached the second round by defeating South Korea 1-0 on Thursday, June 25, through a goal from winger Thapelo Maseko.
Head coach Hugo Broos guided the team to four points in the group stage following a 1-1 draw with Czechia and an opening 2-0 defeat against Mexico.
The early tournament loss drew significant public backlash toward the veteran Belgian manager, who has held his position for five years.
Despite calls from critics for his dismissal, the South African Football Association maintained support for the coach who brought the country back to the World Cup stage for the first time in 16 years.
Broos Responds to Criticism
“I’ve been coaching for nearly 40 years and I know there is a side to the job where you are criticised.
But people must know that I do things my way. I never listen to the trash on social media,” Broos said.
The manager noted that public sentiment fluctuates wildly depending on immediate match outcomes rather than long-term achievements.
He recalled being told that he deserved a monument after a decisive 3-0 victory over Rwanda secured World Cup qualification eight months prior.
“This is part of my job. I know that when you lose, you’re criticised and when you win you are the king.
Eight months ago when we qualified for the World Cup, there was somebody who came to me and said: ‘Coach, they have to make a statue for you in South Africa.’
I told him that it should be made of wood, so that it burns easier when I lose,” Broos said.
The coach maintained steadfast confidence in the squad despite intense external pressure following their initial matches.
“I’ve always had the belief in this group of players, even over the past weeks, when the critics were extremely harsh.
But I never doubted, because these players already gave me so much that I was confident that we would have a good result against South Korea,” he said.
Broos highlighted the strong collective spirit and personal bond established between himself and the roster during their qualification run.
“They fought for every ball because they wanted to be in the second round as well.
The combination between me as a coach and them as players is something unique. Yes, I am the coach.
But I also feel like their friend. So, I’m very happy for them after we qualified for the knockouts,” he said.
The Belgian tactician stated that South Africa must establish consistency by qualifying for every major tournament to continue developing.
“This is new for us.
That’s why when I arrived in South Africa, I said this country has to be in every big tournament.
That’s the level where you learn the most, even when the results are not good. And we’ve done that.
We have been to two Afcons and now we are in the World Cup. But it has to continue.
At the next Afcon you have to be there again,” Broos said.
Goalkeeper’s Penalty Preparation
Team captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams garnered praise for his extensive research and preparation ahead of potential penalty shootouts.
The 34-year-old previously gained recognition after saving multiple penalties in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
“You need to be a student of the game, that’s what I’ve learnt over the years,” Williams said.
He explained that team analysts assist him by supplying massive amounts of video footage concerning opposing penalty takers.
However, tracking individual tendencies remains difficult because the opposing players compete across multiple international professional leagues.
“They send me so many clips, my phone is full.
It's not easy to get footage of some of the players because they play all over the world,” Williams said.
The goalkeeper also utilizes psychological tactics along the goal line to disrupt the focus of penalty takers before they strike the ball.
By moving continuously and waving his arms, he seeks to induce hesitation in the opponent.
“You just try to mess with their mind a bit and make them indecisive. Players know that we are studying them as well.
The goal is so big that players are supposed to score, so we have to do everything we can to make it seem smaller,” Williams said.
