25.6.2026
South African players couldn’t hold back their joy at qualifying for the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World by beating South Korea 1-0 Wednesday night in Mexico.
The surprise win over South Korea and the feeling of reaching the knock stage for the first time had the South Africans signing through the night.
Footage appeared on social media showing members of the Bafana Bafana team singing in the mixed press zone at the Monterrey Stadium in Mexico – much to the displeasure of South Korea’s Hwang In-beom.
The chanting interrupted South Korean players talking to the media, with Hwang voicing his frustration.
According to the South China Morning Post, the Feyenoord midfielder told a South African staff member to ‘show some f****** respect’ in the circumstances.
The victory completed an impressive recovery by Hugo Broos’ side, who lost 2-0 and had two players sent off in the tournament curtain-raiser against Mexico.
Bafana Bafana will face co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles this Sunday for a place in the last 16.