Published on October 14, 2025 • 3-minute read
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Winger Oswin Appollis (R) shone for South Africa as they triumphed over Rwanda, securing their spot in the 2026 World Cup. Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP
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South Africa claimed a 3-0 victory against Rwanda in Mbombela on Tuesday, winning Group C and qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Thalente Mbatha and Oswin Appollis found the net in the first half, while Evidence Makgopa added a third goal midway through the second half.
With this win, South Africa topped the group with 18 points, just ahead of Nigeria, who defeated Benin 4-0 in Uyo, with Victor Osimhen scoring a hat-trick. However, Nigeria still has a chance to qualify for the World Cup as one of the four best-ranked African runners-up, competing in a mini-tournament in Morocco this November. The playoff winners, determined through single-match semi-finals and a final, will advance to an inter-continental tournament in March, where two World Cup spots are available.
This will mark South Africa’s fourth appearance at the global tournament, having previously qualified for the 1998 and 2002 editions, and automatically participating in 2010 as the host nation.
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Belgium-born coach Hugo Broos expressed his excitement, having represented his country as a player in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. He had long aspired to coach a team at the tournament before retiring. “We all knew we could do it; we believed in ourselves. We are going to the World Cup, and it’s fantastic,” said the 73-year-old. “Over the last three years, we’ve made player changes, and each time it was the right decision. What happened tonight is the culmination of three years of work, and the future looks very bright for South African football. We have the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco this December, followed by the World Cup. There are no words to express how I feel.”
Winger Appollis was named player of the match after scoring and assisting on the other goals, helping South Africa regain their scoring form after a goalless draw with Zimbabwe last Friday.