South Africa vs South Korea — World Cup 2026

FILE No. M-814CLASS: GROUP MATCHSTATUS: GROUP STAGEWC 2026 · MONTERREY

South Africa

1–0

South Korea

Match events

O. AppollisOn: T. Moremi62'
T. Masekoassist T. Moremi63'1–0
A. Modiba73'
T. MasekoOn: I. Rayners75'
R. MofokengOn: J. Adams80'

46'Hwang Hee-ChanOn: Son Heung-Min
46'Paik Seung-HoOn: Kim Jin-Gyu
46'Lee Tae-SeokOn: J. Castrop
66'Kim Min-JaeOn: Park Jin-Seob
74'Oh Hyeon-GyuOn: Cho Gue-Sung
79'Cho Gue-Sung

RSAMatch statsKOR

32%Possession68%

13Shots8

4Shots on Target3

4Corners6

7Fouls9

1Yellow Cards1

South Africa — starting XI

4-2-3-1

Bench

8Tshepang Moremi
15Iqraam Rayners
23Jayden Adams
22Ricardo Goss
16Sipho Chaine
26Bradley Cross
3Khulumani Ndamane
19Nkosinathi Sibisi
24Olwethu Makhanya
18Samukelo Kabini
2Tholo Thabang Matuludi
25Kamogelo Sebelebele
9Lyle Foster

South Korea — starting XI

3-4-2-1

Bench

23Jens Castrop
24Jin-gyu Kim
7Son Heung-min
16Jin-seob Park
9Gue-sung Cho
21Jo Hyeonwoo
12Song Bum-keun
15Kim Moon-hwan
5Kim Tae-hyeon
14Wi-je Cho
26Dong-gyeong Lee
10Jae-sung Lee
25Ji-sung Eom
17Jun-Ho Bae
20Yang Hyun-Jun

All-time meetings

South Africa wins

Draws

South Korea wins

02 · Tale of the Tape

Tale of the tape.

26.8

Average Age

28.2

03 · The Form Guide

Last five walks into the room.

Who's hotter going in? Latest competitive results, newest first.

South Africa

Jun 25

vs South Korea

World Cup · Group Stage - 3 · Estadio BBVA

1–0

Jun 18

at Czechia

World Cup · Group Stage - 2 · Mercedes-Benz Stadium

1–1

Jun 11

at Mexico

World Cup · Group Stage - 1 · Estadio Azteca

0–2

Jun 6

at Jamaica

Friendlies · Friendly International · Estadio Miguel Hidalgo

1–1

May 29

vs Nicaragua

Friendlies · Friendly International · FNB Stadium

0–0

South Korea

Jun 25

at South Africa

World Cup · Group Stage - 3 · Estadio BBVA

0–1

Jun 19

at Mexico

World Cup · Group Stage - 2 · Estadio Akron

0–1

Jun 12

vs Czechia

World Cup · Group Stage - 1 · Estadio Akron

2–1

Jun 4

vs El Salvador

Friendlies · Friendly International · America First Field

1–0

May 31

vs Trinidad and Tobago

Friendlies · Friendly International · BYU South Field

5–0

05 · Key Battles

Three duels that decide it.

South Africa must navigate a punishing midfield press and clinical Seoul finishing.

// Centre-back vs Left winger · The crucial litmus test

Ngezana's physical presence will be tested severely by Son's explosive pace and directness. The FCSB centre-back must stay alert to Son's trademark drift infield; one lapse could prove costly. This is where South Africa's defensive structure either holds or crumbles.

// Midfield anchor vs Attacking playmaker · The tempo battle

T. Mokoena

#4 · Mamelodi Sundowns

Lee Kang-In

#18 · Paris Saint Germain

Mokoena must throttle Lee Kang-In's creative influence early, pressing high to disrupt PSG's prodigious vision. If the Sundowns midfielder allows space, Lee becomes the architect. This duel will define whether South Africa can control the rhythm or surrenders possession advantage.

// Forward sharpness vs Defensive mastery · The physical reckoning

Appollis carries South Africa's attacking hopes, but Kim Min-Jae is an elite centre-back who reads the game with surgical precision. The Polokwane City forward must find clever positioning and movement; strength alone won't suffice against Bayern's fortress.

06 · Style Clash