Big Shake-up! Hugo Broos springs surprises with Bafana Bafana squad selection

by Devesh Jaganath

image Big Shake-up! Hugo Broos springs surprises with Bafana Bafana squad selection
As we edge closer to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, national teams from across the globe are set to continue fine-tuning their squads for the tournament during the international break over the next two weeks. South Africa are hoping to make an impact on their return to the global spectacle, and Hugo Broos has sprung a few surprises with his latest squad selection.

Chaine dropped, Zwane to return to South Africa squad for Panama friendlies

South Africa are set to make their return to the FIFA World Cup this June after a 16-year hiatus, and the entire of Mzansi are hoping that Bafana Bafana can make their mark on the global stage after years of building under the guidance of Hugo Broos.

Since the Belgian tactician took charge, the national team has made major strides forward. Not only have did they book their return to the World Cup by winning their group in the CAF qualifiers, but they also finished third at the 2023 AFCON and reached the last 16 of the continental tournament earlier this year.

Following the 2025 AFCON, which we covered in our football predictions, Broos was critical of the fact that one of his side’s downfalls was the lack of international experience, given that the vast majority of the squad was made up of players who ply their trade in the PSL, particularly at Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns. 

That is something that Bafana’s head coach has clearly attempted to address by including a solid faction of international players, such as Samukelo Kabini, Mbekizeli Mbokazi, Sphephelo Sithole, Lyle Foster, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Ime Okon and Thapelo Maseko, in his latest squad selection.

Among the locally based players, stalwarts like Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena and Oswin Appolis have all been retained from the AFCON squad. Themba Zwane, now 36 years of age, has been recalled to the setup, while the most notable omission is that of Bucs’ shot-stopper Sipho Chaine. Speaking on Zwane’s inclusion, Broos said: 

"I don’t have to explain the kind of impact Themba has had on the national team. Certainly, there was the injury, and I thought that was the end of his career. When you have that kind of injury at that age, there’s a big chance your career is finished. But when I heard how hard he worked to come back, and about his ambition to return - I immediately felt how much he loves being back in the national team.”

Bafana Bafana will face Panama twice in the coming week as part of their final preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The first match will be played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday, March 27, before the second clash at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday, March 31. 

Bafana Bafana 23-man squad for Panama international friendlies 

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Renaldo Leaner

Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Thabang Matuludi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane, Ime Okon, Samukelo Kabini, Mbekezeli Mbokazi

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams, Thalente Mbatha, Sphephelo Sithole

Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Lyle Foster, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Relebohile Mofokeng, Themba Zwane, Thapelo Maseko