South Africa return to World Cup after 16 years with emphatic win over Rwanda
South Africa have booked their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010, after defeating Rwanda 3-0 — capping off a dramatic final day of African qualifiers.
Bafana Bafana’s 16-year wait for a return to the world’s biggest stage is finally over after thrashing Rwanda in Mbombela on Tuesday, October 14, to win Group C and qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
They topped the table with 18 points, one more than Nigeria, who hammered third-placed Benin 4-0 in Uyo with Victor Osimhen scoring a hat-trick.
Heading into the final matchday needing both a win and favorable results elsewhere, South Africa rose to the occasion in Mbombela, delivering a commanding performance against Rwanda.
Thalente Mbatha opened the scoring with a powerful strike that slipped through the gloves of goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari, setting the tone early. Oswin Appollis doubled the lead midway through the first half, finishing crisply after a clever assist from Evidence Makgopa.
The pair linked up again after the break, with Appollis delivering a well-placed corner that Makgopa headed home to seal a dominant 3–0 victory—and spark jubilant celebrations across the country.
The result saw South Africa edge out both Benin and Nigeria in one of Africa’s tightest and most dramatic qualifying groups, clinching a long-awaited return to the global stage.
