Bavuma backs Bafana

Proteas Men Test captain, Temba Bavuma, has backed Bafana Bafana to beat South Korea on Thursday and book their place in the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

South Africa head into the crucial group-stage clash needing a victory to keep their World Cup dream alive, while a draw would be enough to send South Korea to the next round.

Kick-off is scheduled for 3am South African time at the Monterrey Stadium in Monterrey, Mexico.

Bavuma, who knows about winning on the global stage after leading the Proteas to the ICC World Test Championship title in 2025, believes the overwhelming support from the South Africa can inspire Hugo Broos’ side.

“It was good that Bafana came away with a point against Czechia. They will have seen on social media the passion and joy the fans took from that performance. It will be a big morale boost. They must capture that imagery going into the Korea game, and use it as fuel,” he said.

⚽️ Bafana Bafana vs South Korea
📅 Thursday, 25 June 2026
​🏟️ Monterrey Stadium, Mexico
🕕 Kick-off: 03:00am SA Time
🖥 SABC 1/3 & SABC+#Fifaworldcup#BafanaPride #BafanaBafana pic.twitter.com/T80tiRlvbr

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) June 24, 2026

BAFANA KAOFELA. ONE LAST CHANCE TO GO THROUGH 🇿🇦🙏🏾

— 𝐈. 𝐌. 🇿🇦🇧🇷🇫🇷 (@ItumelengM__) June 24, 2026

I hope Hugo Broos go back to basics so Bafana can play football style they know. I believe this game need Makgopa an Rele in the starting lineup as we need pressure from the get go. #EverythingCanWait#DStvFIFAWorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/HLk3nWi2YM

— Moremi (@Modise__ZA) June 24, 2026

Bafethu Bafana Bafana needs our support more that anything, lets set those alarms and wake up to go behind the boys #EverythingCanWait#DStvFIFAWorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/wkjB5WeHSP

— shums (@YourBoiShu_) June 24, 2026

Tomorrow National wake up time is 2:45 we sing National Anthem then support Bafana Bafana.

— Lesibana®🇿🇦 (@Lesibana_R) June 24, 2026

Written by: Ntsako Mukhari