Since Republic of South Africa played its first international football in 1992, many players have donned the jersey. therein time, variety of players have left an enduring impression on the sport.
10. Siyabonga Nomvethe (81 caps, 16 goals)
Bhele scored the winner as Bafana Bafana won their first ever World Cup game in 2002, and went on to possess a comparatively successful career in Europe. At 40 years old, the Durban-born striker continues to be causing havoc within the Absa Premiership, albeit off the bench occasionally. Nomvethe first made a reputation for himself within the colours of African Wanderers, before making his big move to Kaizer Chiefs, where his speed and finishing saw him stand head and shoulders above the remainder.
09. Andre Arendse (67 caps)
Andre Arendse impresssed for urban center Spurs before he made his debut for Bafana Bafana during the Simba Four Nations tournament previous the 1996 Africa Cup of countries, where he didn’t disappoint. He let in only two goals as African country went on to win their first – and only – international trophy. He ignored on the 1998 tourney and Africa Cup of countries because of injury, but he was back within the side during the 2002 tournaments.
08. Shaun Bartlett (74 caps, 28 goals)
Shaun Bartlett is one in all the best goalscorers that African country has every produced. Like Arendse, Bartlett, currently the top coach of NFD side AmaTuks, came through the ranks at Cape Town Spurs, and was a vital squad member when South Africa won the Africa Cup of states in 1996. His best year for the national team was in 2000. in this year, he scored eight goals, including five that saw him finish because the leading goalscorer at the 2000 Africa Cup of countries in Gabon.
07. Mark Fish (62 caps, 2 goals)
Before he became a web meme, the legendary Mark Fish was an aesthetic ball playing, hard tackling centreback who formed a formidable partnership with Lucas Radebe in what was a golden generation for South African football. Fish read the sport so well, and seldom put a foot wrong as he went on to become a disciple favoutire wherever he went. After leaving Orlando Pirates in 1996, the Arcadia Shepherds product spent a year in Italy playing for Lazio, before moving to the Premier League, where he played until 2005.
06. Sibusiso Zuma (67 caps, 13 goals)
Sibusiso Zuma emerged even as South Africa was setting out to get more exposure at international level. Whether playing down either flank, through the center as an attacking midfielder or striker, you were always visiting get the most effective out of the player who was nicknamed “the Puma” in Denmark, where he’s thought to be a legend to the present very day. He was shortlisted for the FIFA Player of the Year Award in 2001, and in 2003, he famously turned down a move to Arsenal due to his loyalty to FC Copenhagen.
05. John Moshoeu (73 caps, 8 goals)
One of Shoes’ qualities was that he could play any role in midfield. He started off as an attacking player, but as he got older, he dropped deeper and deeper, dictating play from just before of the rear four. He was one in all South Africa’s best players as they won the Africa Cup of states in 1996, and remained important to the team right throughout his career.
04. Itumeleng Khune (85 caps and counting, 0 goals)
Kaizer Chiefs’ and South Africa’s best Itumeleng Khune is that the only player on this list still playing. Aged just 30, Khune has been within the national team for 10 years, and it’ll be difficult to work out him lose his spot anytime soon. His shot stopping ability and ball distribution is thought to be world class, and was once praised by the likes of Pepe Reina and Iker Casillas during the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup.
03. Doctor Khumalo (50 caps, 9 goals)
Had he played more games for the national team, Theophilus Doctor Khumalo would undoubtedly be ranked among the highest two players to don the Bafana jersey. Khumalo is that the finest midfielder this country has ever produced. He had the power to impede play and find teammates with pinpoint passes. Whether you wanted to hurry things up, or slow them down, Doctor was your man. His finest moment came in 1996 when the African champions took on the globe champions Brazil at FNB Stadium. The Brazilians seemed shell shocked early as they couldn’t handle his wizardry, with Bafana taking a 2-0 lead. They however came back and won 3-2. But, Khumalo had shown the planet what South Africans already knew, that he was a genius with a football at his feet.
02. Lucas Radebe (70 caps, 2 goals)
If this list was judged on football ability alone, Lucas Radebe wouldn’t are this high. Yes, he was an aesthetic defender who added lots of steel to the national team’s back line, but it absolutely was his ability as a pacesetter that made sure he was such a very important player within the team. The late former President Nelson Mandela described Radebe as his favourite footballer, and he nearly dragged Bafana to the second round of the 2002 tournament.
Benni McCarthy (81 caps, 31 goals)
Was there ever any doubt on who would be rated as Bafana Bafana’s greatest ever player? Benni McCarthy, currently the coach of PSL title contenders metropolis City, is that the only South African to win a Champions League medal. He began his career with a bang in 1998 as he scored four goals in 13 minutes as Bafana demolished Namibia 4-1 at that year’s Africa Cup of states. He finished that competition as joint top goal scorer with seven goals.
