South Africa

Known to its beloved fans as Bafana Bafana, the South Africa National Team was created in 1892, but didn’t play its first match until 1924 against Netherlands. During the Apartheid, the selection was banished and so the team didn’t play again until 1992—its first game in two decades to triumphantly beat Cameroon 1–0. The team’s best performance came several years later, in 1996, when they won the African Cup of Nations, which took place in South Africa, 2-0 against Tunisia. After that, they’ve been a force to reckon with on the world football stage, finishing second in the ACN 1998 and third in 2000, and partaking in the World Cup in 1998, 2002, and 2010.

South Africa Vitals

Founded On: 1924
Known For: Steven Pienaar
Championships: FIFA World Cup™: 1998, 2002, and 2010
Nickname: Bafana Bafana (Boys Boys or Go Boys Go Boys)

Notable Performance

Fourth Place in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup™

Trophy Case

  • African Cup of Nations® Champion

    1996
  • 3 FIFA World Cup™ Qualifications

    1998, 2002, 2010