South Africa national football team
Bafana Bafana · COSAFA · Elo 1674 (10th in Africa)
About the South Africa national team
The South Africa national football team (Bafana Bafana) represents South Africa in men's international football and competes in CAF's Southern African (COSAFA) region.
All told, South Africa have played 488 recorded internationals since 1906: 219 wins (44.9%), 146 draws and 123 defeats, with 660 goals scored and 461 conceded.
South Africa have won the Africa Cup of Nations once (1996).
They have qualified for the FIFA World Cup 4 times (1998, 2002, 2010 and 2026).
Our Elo rating puts South Africa on 1674 points: 10th in Africa and 64th in the world. Their highest rating (1760) came in 1996.
Shaun Bartlett is the leading scorer in our match records with 15 goals for South Africa.
Next matches
All fixtures →- South Africa
11 Nov
Kenya
Preview · 2027 AFCON qualification - Kenya
15 Nov
South Africa
Preview · 2027 AFCON qualification
- Guinea
24 Mar
South Africa
Preview · 2027 AFCON qualification - South Africa
28 Mar
Eritrea
Preview · 2027 AFCON qualification
Recent results
All results →LDWLDWLWWW
| Date | Opponent | Score | Competition | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Oct 2026 | W |  Egypt |
1–0 | International Friendly | A · Cairo |
| 30 Sep 2026 | W | Eritrea |
5–0 | AFCON Qualification | N · Cairo |
| 26 Sep 2026 | W | Guinea |
2–1 | AFCON Qualification | H · Johannesburg |
| 28 Jun 2026 | L |  Canada |
0–1 | FIFA World Cup | N · Inglewood |
| 24 Jun 2026 | W |  South Korea |
1–0 | FIFA World Cup | N · Guadalupe |
| 18 Jun 2026 | D |  Czech Republic |
1–1 | FIFA World Cup | N · Atlanta |
| 11 Jun 2026 | L |  Mexico |
0–2 | FIFA World Cup | A · Mexico City |
| 6 Jun 2026 | W |  Jamaica |
1–0 | International Friendly | N · Pachuca |
| 29 May 2026 | D |  Nicaragua |
0–0 | International Friendly | H · Johannesburg |
| 31 Mar 2026 | L |  Panama |
1–2 | International Friendly | H · Cape Town |
| 27 Mar 2026 | D | Panama |
1–1 | International Friendly | H · Durban |
| 4 Jan 2026 | L |  Cameroon |
1–2 | Africa Cup of Nations | N · Rabat |
Key facts
- At home
- 131W 72D 39L (54% wins)
- Away
- 55W 40D 57L (36% wins)
- Neutral venues
- 33W 34D 27L (35% wins)
- Goals per match
- 1.35 scored, 0.94 conceded
- Clean sheets
- 204 (42%)
- Failed to score
- 143 matches (29%)
- Most common score
- 0–0 (65 times)
- vs Europe
- 11W 9D 24L
- vs Oceania
- 16W 5D 6L
- vs North America
- 7W 9D 9L
- vs South America
- 3W 6D 11L
- vs Asia
- 4W 5D 2L
- Best decade
- 1950s (67% wins)
- First recorded match
- Argentina 0–1 South Africa (1906)
Where South African players were born
All birthplaces →Each dot is a birthplace; bigger dots mean more players. Players born outside Africa are on the born abroad page.
Active South African internationals
Where they play →| Player | Position | Club | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyle Foster | Forward |  Houston Dynamo FC | 30 | 11 |
| Relebohile Mofokeng | Midfielder |  Royale Union Saint-Gilloise | 16 | 1 |
| Khuliso Mudau | Defender | Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. | 36 | 1 |
| Oswin Appollis | Midfielder | Orlando Pirates F.C. | 32 | 8 |
| Percy Tau | Forward |  Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. | – | – |
| Iqraam Rayners | Forward | Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. | 24 | 5 |
| May Mahlangu | Midfielder |  FC Ordabasy | 16 | 2 |
| Kermit Erasmus | Midfielder | Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. | – | – |
| Linda Motlhalo | Midfielder | Glasgow City F.C. | 52 | 16 |
| Jermaine Seoposenwe | Forward | C.F. Monterrey (women) | 28 | 4 |
| Mohau Nkota | Winger |  Al-Ettifaq FC | 9 | 2 |
| Hildah Magaia | Forward | Sejong Sportstoto WFC | – | – |
| Kaylin Swart | Goalkeeper | JVW FC | 20 | 0 |
| Robyn Moodaly | Midfielder | JVW FC | 16 | 0 |
| Siyabonga Ngezana | Centre-back |  FCSB | 7 | 0 |
| Noxolo Cesane | Midfielder | Tigres UANL | 13 | 2 |
| Tiisetso Makhubela | Defender | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC | 4 | 0 |
| Nomvula Kgoale | Defender | TS Galaxy F.C. | 15 | 5 |
Players with an open club spell and a senior cap on record; not an official squad list.
Top scorers
Full list →- Shaun Bartlett1996–2004
- Benni McCarthy1998–2005
- Siyabonga Nomvethe2000–2005
- Phil Masinga1992–2001
- Bernard Parker2009–2013
- Teboho Mokoena2002–2026
- Oswin Appollis2025–2026
- Mark Williams1996–1997
- Sibusiso Zuma2001–2005
- Katlego Mphela2008–2012
Record by competition
| Competition | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Titles | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCON Qualification | 70 | 33 | 27 | 10 | 110 | 56 | 1992–2026 | |
| World Cup Qualification | 66 | 37 | 12 | 17 | 87 | 56 | 1992–2025 | |
| COSAFA Cup | 59 | 31 | 21 | 7 | 79 | 31 | 1999–2023 | |
| Africa Cup of Nations | 54 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 61 | 54 | 1 | 1996–2026 |
| FIFA World Cup | 13 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 20 | 1998–2026 | |
| FIFA Confederations Cup | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 1997–2009 | |
| Simba Tournament | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 1994–1996 | |
| Gold Cup | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 2005–2005 | |
| USA Cup | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 2000–2000 |
Notable South African players
All players →
Steven PienaarSouth Africa · b. 1982
Benni McCarthySouth Africa · b. 1977
Siphiwe TshabalalaSouth Africa · b. 1984
Aaron MokoenaSouth Africa · b. 1980
Itumeleng KhuneSouth Africa · b. 1987
Bernard ParkerSouth Africa · b. 1986
Bongani KhumaloSouth Africa · b. 1987
A
Anele NgcongcaSouth Africa · b. 1987
Jayden AdamsSouth Africa · b. 2001
Lucas RadebeSouth Africa · b. 1969
Kagisho DikgacoiSouth Africa · b. 1984
K
Katlego MphelaSouth Africa · b. 1984
Frequently asked questions
What is the nickname of the South Africa national team?
South Africa are nicknamed the Bafana Bafana.
How many times have South Africa won AFCON?
South Africa have won the Africa Cup of Nations 1 time (1996).
Have South Africa played at the World Cup?
Yes, South Africa have played at 4 World Cups (1998, 2002, 2010 and 2026).
Who is the top scorer for South Africa?
In our match database, Shaun Bartlett leads with 15 goals. Goal data is most complete for tournament matches.
What is the biggest win in South Africa history?
South Africa 8–0 Australia on 17 September 1955 (International Friendly).