Ronwen Williams #1 of South Africa reacts after the 1-1 draw during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Czechia and South Africa at Atlanta Stadium on June 18, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. Picture: Alex Slitz/Getty Images/AFP
Two matches into their first Fifa World Cup appearance since 2010, Bafana Bafana have given us a much clearer picture of where they stand on football’s biggest stage.
The good news is that qualification for the Round of 32 remains within reach. The bad news is that the version of Bafana that topped their qualifying group has yet to arrive in the United States.
Let’s not beat around the bush: this Bafana Bafana side is not the same team that topped their qualifying group to qualify for the Fifa World Cup for the first time since 2002 (they qualified automatically as hosts in 2010).
In the two matches they have played so far, Bafana have offered precious little attacking threat.
