South Africa thrashed Rwanda 3-0 in their final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (Group C) match played at the Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night to book their ticket to the global showpiece.
South Africa takes a deep breath 🇿🇦💥
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 14, 2025
Bafana Bafana 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 return to the #FIFAWorldCup 🏆✈️#WCQ | #SSFootball pic.twitter.com/sjcOxHknpE
The result saw Bafana Bafana qualify for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA as Group C winners.
𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐄𝐃 🇿🇦✈️
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 14, 2025
Bafana Bafana are on their way to the 2026 #FIFAWorldCup 🎟️⚽ pic.twitter.com/TlX8bAYGri
The Southern African giants will now play international friendly matches as they prepare for December's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Amavubi, on the other hand, ended a disappointing qualifying campaign with a defeat and they finished fifth in the group standings.
The East African side also failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON and they are likely to play friendly matches in the next FIFA break.
Bafana Bafana got off to a brilliant start with Oswin Appollis causing havoc for the Amavubi defence.
The quick winger set up Thalente Mbatha, who netted with a powerful shot from outside the box to hand South Africa a 1-0 lead five minutes into the match.
A moment for this rocket from Thalente Mbatha 🇿🇦🚀#WCQ | #SSFootball pic.twitter.com/QDodsz8bPD
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 14, 2025
The hosts doubled their lead four minutes before the half-hour mark after a good team move.
Appollis grabbed a well-deserved goal after being set up by his Orlando Pirates teammate Evidence Makgopa and South Africa were 2-0 up at the interval.
Oswin Appollis doubles Bafana Bafana's lead with a cracker 🇿🇦💥
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 14, 2025
📺 Stream #WCQ on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/HxZF6zEr67
Hugo Broos's side did not take their foot off the pedal after the restart as they continued to launch attacks and they extended their lead in the 72nd minute.
Appollis grabbed his second assist of the game as his corner-kick was headed home by Evidence Makgopa, who sealed South Africa's 3-0 win.
Straight from the training ground and onto the pitch 🎯
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 14, 2025
Evidence Makgopa rises highest to get South Africa's third 🇿🇦💥
📺 Stream #WCQ on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/A0ps4WEqIK
South Africa (2) 3 (Mbatha 5', Appollis 26', Makgopa 72')
Rwanda 0
South Africa: Williams; Mudau, Ndamane, Sibisi, Modiba; Mokoena, Mbatha (Shabalala 89'), Mbule (Aubaas 89'); Appollis, Morena (Nkota 35'), Makgopa (Cupido 85')
Rwanda: Ntwari; Mutsinzi, Byiringiro, Manzi, Niyomugabo (Hamon 68'); Bizimana (Nkulikiyimana 85'), B. Mugisha, Muhire, Kwizera (Imanishimwe 52'), G. Mugisha, Nshuti (Biramahire 68')
