Behind from the 6th minute, South Africa salvaged a 1-1 draw against Czechia on Thursday in Atlanta, thanks to Teboho Mokoena. A precious point that keeps Bafana Bafana alive in Group A.
They had to react — fast, and decisively. After their disastrous opener against Mexico (0-2, and two red cards), South Africa came into this second World Cup 2026 fixture with their backs to the wall. The script, at first, turned into a nightmare: barely underway, Michal Sadílek pounced on some loose South African defending to open the scoring inside six minutes — the quickest goal of the tournament so far. Hardly ideal for a side already under heavy pressure.
But this time, Hugo Broos’s men did not fold. Driven by a decisive Teboho Mokoena, who struck the equaliser, the South Africans clawed level and then held firm to leave Atlanta with a point — and, above all, with hope. With Matchday 2 of Group A done, nothing is settled yet: this draw revives, however slightly, Bafana Bafana’s hopes of reaching the round of 32. One game remains to finish the job. And a whole continent is holding its breath.