South Africa vs Korea Republic Prediction & Picks - World Cup
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by Bradley Gibbs | in World Cup Picks
Having kept themselves alive with a late equalizer last time out, the South Africans now need to win to make the knockouts. Can they get the job done against a very useful South Korean side? We’ll find out in Monterrey.
The time is now for the Bafana Bafana boys, who have so far disappointed at this tournament, but they’re still in with a chance of making the knockouts. To do that, they’ll need to beat the South Koreans, and that will be anything but easy.
Realistically, we’ve seen very little from the South Africans to suggest that they can seriously upset a South Korean team that should have more than enough offensive quality to do some real damage in this game, so much so that ‘South Korea to Score Over 1.5 Goals’ stands out as a viable play.
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South Africa vs Korea Republic Form
Table
| Teams | Pts | P | W | D | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2
|
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
|
4
|
1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 |
South Africa and Korea Republic Latest Matches
0/6 (0%)
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 18, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 11, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 6, 2026 - International Friendlies
May 29, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 27, 2026 - International Friendlies
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
May 29, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 27, 2026 - International Friendlies
Jan 4, 2026 - AFCON
Dec 22, 2025 - AFCON
Dec 16, 2025 - International Friendlies
1/6 (17%)
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 18, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 11, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 6, 2026 - International Friendlies
Dec 29, 2025 - AFCON
Dec 26, 2025 - AFCON
Oct 10, 2025 - World Cup
3/6 (50%)
0/6 (0%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 18, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 11, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 3, 2026 - International Friendlies
May 30, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 28, 2026 - International Friendlies
5/6 (83%)
0/6 (0%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 11, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 3, 2026 - International Friendlies
May 30, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 28, 2026 - International Friendlies
Nov 18, 2025 - International Friendlies
Nov 14, 2025 - International Friendlies
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 18, 2026 - World Cup
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Sep 9, 2025 - International Friendlies
Sep 6, 2025 - International Friendlies
Jul 11, 2025 - East Asian Championship
Jun 5, 2025 - World Cup
South Africa - Korea Republic: Form Analysis
Having floundered in the opening game of the tournament against co-hosts Mexico, the South Africans went into their game in Atlanta needing an improved performance. Against a fast-starting Czech team, they failed to do that, once again showing a severe lack of final-third quality. Fortunately, thanks to an inadvertent handball, they got back into the game from the penalty spot, eventually earning a point, a point that keeps their knockout dreams alive. Just.
Fortunately, thanks to an inadvertent handball, they got back into the game from the penalty spot, eventually earning a point, a point that keeps their knockout dreams alive. Just.
For the South Koreans, a hugely promising first game against Czechia, a game that they won by two goals to one, was followed by a slightly lesser effort against Mexico, though they were far from outplayed, losing an even game by just a single goal. Now that they have an easier task in front of them, we should see Hong Myung-bo’s men deliver a more impressive display.
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Korea Republic v South Africa last Lineups
Formation : 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Formation : 3 - 4 - 3
Substitutes
R. Goss
S. Chaine
DefenderB. Cross
K. Ndamane
S. Kabini
O. Makhanya
T. Matuludi
N. Sibisi
ForwardE. Makgopa
L. Foster
R. Mofokeng
K. Sebelebele
T. Moremi
S. Bum-keun
J. Hyeon-woo
DefenderC. Wi-je
J. Castrop
P. Jin-seob
K. Tae-hyeon
L. Tae-seok
MidfielderE. Ji-sung
Y. Hyun-jun
B. Jun-ho
L. Dong-gyeong
H. Hee-chan
K. Jin-gyu
ForwardO. Hyeon-gyu
C. Gue-sung
Missing players
T. Zwane
T. Mokoena
South Africa & Korea Republic Squad Analysis
Oswin Appollis only featured as a substitute against Mexico, but he was arguably South Africa’s brightest player when starting against the Czechs, so he should continue in the starting XI. Young forward Relebohile Mofokeng also looked lively when coming on, and if the Bafana Bafana boss Hugo Broos want his team to be at their best offensively, he ought to start here. The same can be said for Lyle Foster.
Cho Gue-Sung impressed after coming on and could feature from the start, especially if Hong Myung-bo is looking for his team to really put the South Africans under pressure.
For the second game in a row, both Lee Jae-Sung and Son Heung-Min went off on the hour mark against Mexico, but both are expected to continue in the South Korean starting XI. Cho Gue-Sung impressed after coming on and could feature from the start, especially if Hong Myung-bo is looking for his team to really put the South Africans under pressure.
Most goals and assists
South Africa
Korea Republic
T. Mokoena
(1 Goals)
H. In-beom
(1 Goals)
,
O. Hyeon-gyu
(1 Goals)
H. In-beom
(1 Assists)
,
L. Kang-in
(1 Assists)
South Africa - Korea Republic Key Points
- During the first round of group games, the South Africans conceded twice against Mexico.
- In their first group game, the South Koreans scored twice and created 2.30 xG.
- The South Koreans, in the last year or so, have often scored multiple goals against lower-ranking nations.
- The South Africans typically concede multiple goals against higher-ranking nations.
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Our South Africa vs Korea Republic Prediction
We saw how creative the South Koreans can be against the Czech’s in that first game, and having since seen how easily the Czech’s created early openings against what is a very weak South African defense, it’s not too difficult to conclude that odds of -129 are on the generous side.
Late last year, we also saw the Taeguk Warriors score multiple goals against both Paraguay and Bolivia, which suggests that they can easily thrive offensively in this game.
Our South Africa vs South Korea Pick: South Korea to Score Over 1.5 Goals.
South Africa vs Korea Republic - Other Interesting Picks
South Korea to Win
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South Africa vs Korea Republic match : Frequently asked questions
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
