Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has unveiled a 45-man preliminary squad as the team prepares for crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda. These upcoming matches are not only vital for securing a spot in the prestigious tournament but also for maintaining the national team's impressive momentum. South Africa currently boasts a remarkable 22-game unbeaten run, placing them alongside Spain and just two games shy of Senegal’s world-leading streak of 24 matches. For Coach Broos and his players, preserving this record is as significant as achieving World Cup qualification.

The first of these decisive fixtures will see Bafana Bafana take on Zimbabwe. Although technically Zimbabwe’s home game, it will be held at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday, 10 October 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00. This relocation is due to the lack of FIFA-approved stadiums within Zimbabwe. Following this, South Africa will conclude their qualifying campaign against Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday, 14 October 2025, starting at 18:00.

Currently, South Africa holds a strong position at the top of Group C, having accumulated 17 points from eight matches. Their closest competitors are Benin with 14 points, followed by Nigeria and Rwanda each with 11 points, while Lesotho has 6 points and Zimbabwe trails with 4. The team's previous encounter with Zimbabwe in June saw Bafana Bafana secure a dominant 3-1 victory at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. In that match, despite Tawanda Chirewa’s opening goal for the Warriors, Mamelodi Sundowns star Thapelo Morena netted a superb brace, complemented by a third goal from Iqraam Rayners, sealing a comfortable win for South Africa.

The upcoming qualifiers present a dual objective for Bafana Bafana: to solidify their lead in Group C and advance towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while simultaneously extending their impressive unbeaten streak, a testament to their growing prowess on the international stage.