Hugo Broos has kept his powder largely dry — but two names nobody expected are in South Africa's final 26-man World Cup squad. Olwethu Makhanya and Bradley Cross, both uncapped, earn their first call-ups despite playing no part in the qualifying campaign.
Broos wanted defensive cover. He got two players with very different CVs. Makhanya, 22, is a centre-back operating in MLS with Philadelphia Union. Cross, 25, a former Newcastle United academy product now at Kaizer Chiefs, comes in at left-back. Neither has featured for Bafana Bafana before. Both are going to a World Cup.
Modiba's fitness is the real concern
The reason Cross gets the nod is sitting in a medical report. Regular left-back Aubrey Modiba picked up a hamstring injury before Sunday's CAF Champions League final second leg for Mamelodi Sundowns and didn't feature. He's still in the squad, but Broos clearly didn't fancy going into a World Cup with a single option in that position. Smart call. Hamstrings and tournament football don't mix well, and Modiba's availability for the June 11 opener against co-hosts Mexico is genuinely uncertain. South Africa's defensive odds shift meaningfully depending on whether he's fit.
At the other end of the age spectrum, 36-year-old Themba Zwane is in. Broos sees his guile as essential — and with 19 of the 26 players based in the South African league, Zwane's experience in the group is arguably as valuable as anything he provides on the pitch. Burnley's Lyle Foster leads the attack and is the squad's obvious focal point in the final third.
South Africa's World Cup picture
Bafana Bafana open against Mexico in the tournament's very first match, then face Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey on June 24. All three previous World Cup appearances ended in group-stage exits — 1998, 2002, and as hosts in 2010. The draw doesn't scream opportunity, but it's not a death group either.
For Broos himself, this is the end of the road. The 74-year-old Belgian has already confirmed he'll retire after the tournament. He played in the 1986 World Cup — also held in Mexico — where Belgium finished fourth. Forty years later, he returns as a coach, hoping for something more than a group-stage farewell.
"I know those players who had to drop out will be very disappointed tonight," he said. "There were some very difficult decisions to be made. I hope I have chosen the right ones."
The full squad:
- Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
- Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Kamogelo Sebelebele (both Orlando Pirates), Ime Okon (Hannover 96), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire)
- Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela)
- Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Relebohile Mofokeng (all Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Iqraam Rayners, Themba Zwane (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol)
