South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has announced the preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda next month, Afrosport reports.
Bafana Bafana are in pole position heading into the matches as they top Group C with 17 points from eight matches, but could face a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho.
Thabang Matuludi has been reinstated in the preliminary squad in defence, while Bradley Cross, Sydney Mobbie and Siyabonga Ngezana have been left out.
Among those recalled into the squad are Thabang Matuludi in defence and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Sphephelo Sithole after a long-term injury. Evidence Makgopa returns in attack, likewise Keletso Makgalwa.
Notable names that failed to make the squad include Bradley Cross, Sydney Mobbie, Siyabonga Ngezana and Fawaaz Basadien.
South Africa will square off against Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on October 10 before facing Rwanda at the Mbombela Stadium three days later.
Bafana Bafana preliminary squad announcement
vs Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 and Rwanda 🇷🇼#BafanaPride@SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/uYsSa8byv5
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) September 23, 2025
They will be hoping to book an automatic World Cup spot from these final fixtures for the first time since the 2010 edition, when they were tournament hosts.
