South Africa secured a place in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time after edging South Korea 1-0 in Monterrey on Wednesday. The victory completed an impressive turnaround for Bafana Bafana, who had opened their campaign with a defeat to Mexico.
The decisive moment arrived in the 63rd minute when substitute Thapelo Maseko finished from close range after a low cross from Tshepang Moremi. Maseko's contribution proved enough to send South Africa into the round of 32, where they will meet Canada in Los Angeles on June 28.
South Africa finished second in Group A behind co-hosts Mexico, who defeated the Czech Republic in the group's other match.
Born in Sebokeng, Gauteng, on November 11, 2003, Maseko developed through the SuperSport United youth system before emerging as one of the club's standout performers during the 2022-23 campaign. His performances helped SuperSport secure a third-place league finish and drew attention from clubs abroad, including Belgium's KVC Westerlo.
In June 2023, he joined Mamelodi Sundowns and quickly made an impact. He played a key role in the club's triumph in the inaugural African Football League, scoring the winning goal in both semi-final legs against Al Ahly. Maseko ended the tournament as both the leading scorer and the competition's best player.
Seeking more regular minutes after finding opportunities limited in Sundowns' attack, he moved on loan to Cypriot side AEL Limassol in January 2026. The switch helped keep him in contention for national-team selection, and coach Hugo Broos included him in South Africa's final 26-man World Cup squad on May 27.
That decision was rewarded in dramatic fashion against South Korea.
South Africa's progression looked far from certain after a 2-0 loss to Mexico in their opening match. A hard-fought draw with the Czech Republic kept their hopes alive, setting up a must-win encounter with South Korea.
Despite controlling only 30 percent of possession, South Africa produced one of their most effective displays of the tournament. They created more chances, recording 13 shots compared with South Korea's eight, and looked the more threatening side throughout much of the contest.
South Korea struggled to recover after coach Hong Myung-bo opted not to start captain Son Heung-min. Son entered the match at halftime as his team chased an equaliser, but South Africa held firm to secure a landmark result.
