Published May 28, 2026
South Africa have named uncapped defenders Oluwetu Makhanya and Bradley Cross in their World Cup squad, with recent major trophy winners Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates dominating the roster.
The two teams each selected eight players for South Africa’s FIFA World Cup squad on Wednesday in Pretoria.
Sundowns won the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League for the second time last Sunday, defeating Moroccan rivals FAR Rabat 2-1 on aggregate in the final.
A day earlier, Pirates were crowned South African Premiership champions for the first time since 2012, ending Sundowns’ run of eight consecutive league titles.
A surprising omission was Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Pietersen, whose outstanding form helped the club finish third in the Premiership behind Pirates and Sundowns.
He was scheduled to be called up for the World Cup warm-up match against Panama two months ago, but was pulled out due to appendix surgery.
There were a few surprises as coach Hugo Bruce mainly stuck to his players, who were Bafana Bafana’s first international appearance in 16 years, with 36-year-old playmaker Themba Zwane also eligible.
The Bulls included 19 local players in their 26-man squad. Five are playing in Europe and two in the United States.
South Africa will open the tournament against co-hosts Mexico on June 11, before playing Group A against the Czech Republic in Atlanta (June 18) and South Korea in Monterrey (June 24).
Makanya, 22, a centre-back, plays for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer, while Cross, 25, previously played for Newcastle United and is now a left-back for Kaizer Chiefs in his hometown of Soweto.
Although neither were involved in the qualification, the desire to have more defensive options led to their selection. Regular left-back Aubrey Modiba was also selected despite missing Sunday’s second leg of the CAF Champions League final against Mamelodi Sundowns with a hamstring injury.
Burnley striker Lyle Foster will lead the line, but the Bulls believe Zwane’s experience and smarts on the ball will be essential for a team where 19 of their 26 players are based in the South African league.
“The players who had to withdraw will be very disappointed tonight,” Bruce said. “There were some very difficult decisions to be made. I hope I made the right ones.”
South Africa have appeared in the last three World Cup finals, having first appeared in 1998. They qualified again in 2002 and hosted the tournament in 2010. Both were eliminated in the group stage.
Despite accepting that Bafana Bafana will be outsiders in Group A, Bruce is confident his side can make history and secure a spot in the second round.
“Anything can happen in soccer, and any World Cup is bound to have an upset. Who would have thought that Morocco would reach the semi-finals last time?”
The World Cup is a great coaching song for Belgian tactician Bruce, 74. He has already said he intends to end his career after the final.
The former defender quit playing international football after the 1986 World Cup, which was also held in Mexico and helped Belgium to fourth place.
“There is nothing better than going to the World Cup as the end of my time as a footballer and as a coach. I am leading a team of warriors and who knows what we can achieve.”
2026 South Africa World Cup National Team
Goalkeeper: Sipho Chain (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders: Aubrey Modiba, Chryso Mdau, Hulmani Ndamane (Sundowns), Kamogelo Sebelebele, Nkosinati Sibisi (both Pirates), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Samukele Kabini ( Molde/Norway), Oluwetu Makanya (Philadelphia Union/USA), Thaban Maturdi (Polokwane City), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire/USA), Ime Okon (Hannover/Germany)
Midfielders: Oswin Apolis, Talente Mbaza, Lelebohile Mofokeng (Pirates), Jayden Adams, Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane (Sundowns), Sfephelo Sithole (Tondela/Portugal)
Forwards: Evidence Magopa, Tshepang Moremi (both Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley/England), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol/Cyprus), Ikram Rainers (Sundowns)
