Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has made three changes to his starting XI to take on Czechia in their crucial 2026 Fifa World Cup match at Atlanta Stadium on Thursday (noon in Georgia, 6pm SA time). The coach deployed a defensive 3-5-2 formation and line-up that backfired in Bafana’s 2-0 opening defeat to co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City last Thursday.Against the tough, physical Czechs, Broos has gone for an attack-minded approach as he has refreshed the line-up with the introduction of speedy wingers Thapelo Maseko and Oswin Appollis to run at the Czechia defence. He forsook wingers against Mexico, pushing fullbacks Khuliso Mudau and Aubrey Modiba up as wingbacks.Among the changes, Broos sacrificed defender Nkosinathi Sibisi, with Appollis his direct replacement. Thalente Mbatha comes in for suspended Sphephelo Sithole in defensive midfield. Maseko replaces striker Lyle Foster, as Broos reverts to the 4-2-3-1 system that worked for Bafana in the qualifiers. There is still no place for playmaker Relebohile Mofokeng in the starting line-up but Broos has gone with a meaty midfield to deal with the aggression of Czechia. Teboho Mokoena and Mbatha are expected to sit back in the middle of the park with Jayden Adams allowed freedom to go forward and perform the job of link-up play with Maseko and Appollis the winger and Iqraam Rayners the striker. At the back, Broos has brought in young Makhanya, who might help with Czech’s notorious aerial threat, next to less tall but strong in the challenge Mbekezeli Mbokazi. Bafana are desperate for a win to have a chance of progressing to the knockouts but it is not going to be easy against this aggressive Czechia. All the World Cup fixtures hereWorld Cup page hereAll the group profiles hereStar player profiles hereBafana news hereTimesLIVE