South Africa national team head coach Hugo Broos has warned his Bafana Bafana players that they should be ready to face a South Korean side that will run for 90 minutes.
After losing to co-hosts Mexico 2-0 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A opener, Bafana Bafana put up an impressive display by holding Czech Republic to a 1-1 draw.
The Koreans opened their campaign with a 2-1 win against the Czechs before losing 1-0 to hosts.
Bafana must secure the three points against South Korea to seal a first-ever appearance in the World Cup knockout stage.
Speaking to media on the prospect of facing South Korea, the Belgian is anticipating a completely different ball game.
“Yes, South Korea is a little bit in between Mexico and Czechia: it’s a very disciplined team,” Broos said.
“This is a characteristic of the Eastern teams; they are always disciplined, you saw that in their game against Czechia. They also have a good players, a few key players in the team.
Also Read: World Cup 2026: Zwane’s Three-Game Suspension Too Severe —South Africa Coach Broos
“So again, it will be a tough game, but in another way. Today it was a tough game because of the physicality of Czechia, against South Korea, it will be more about the discipline in the group.
“Also, the physical in the sense that they run.
“I’m very sorry to say this, but they are like Duracells: you plug them in, and they start running, and they run for 90 minutes, so it will not be easy.”
Meanwhile, Bafana will be without their key midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who received his second yellow card in his team’s second group fixture against Czech Republic.
Also out of the crucial clash is Themba Zwane, who was shown a straight card in the defeat to Mexico.
By James Agberebi
