Orlando Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa arrived the Bafana Bafana training camp as a replacement for Mamelodi Sundowns forward Iqraam Rayners, who was forced to withdraw due to injury, Afrosport reports.
This change comes just days before the two crucial qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.
Makgopa has earned 18 caps for South Africa, scoring four goals. He last featured for Bafana in a 2-0 win over Uganda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November last year.
Evidence Makgopa has arrived at the Bafana Bafana camp in Roodepoort. He replaces Iqraam Rayners, who has been withdrawn due to medical reasons.#BafanaPride@SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/u9zfvQ5IiY
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 7, 2025
Kaizer Chiefs’ Mduduzi Shabalala had earlier been called up to replace Relebohile Mofokeng, who is also sidelined through injury.
South Africa will face Zimbabwe on Friday at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban before tackling Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium next Tuesday.
Both games are a must win for Hugo Broos’ if they are to secure their spot in the World Cup finals having been deducted three points and three goals for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho in March.
