OFM

Bafana Bafana face arguably their toughest test of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Sunday night when they lock horns with Cameroon in a high-stakes Last 16 showdown in Rabat.

The Indomitable Lions sit just a couple of places above South Africa in the FIFA world rankings, but that gap has done little to dent the confidence in the Bafana camp. Hugo Broos’ charges believe they have what it takes to book a place in the quarter-finals of the continental showpiece.

Broos said there will be different mindset from his team in the knockout game.

The Lions will be desperate to get their 2026 campaign off to a winning start when they travel to Durban to take on the Sharks in a mouth-watering United Rugby Championship derby on Saturday.

It will be the first time this season that these two old foes lock horns, and all the signs point to a bruising, high-intensity affair at Kings Park.

The Johannesburg side will be looking to slow down a high-flying Sharks outfit that appears to have found fresh momentum following a change in coaching personnel. While the Lions went down narrowly to the Stormers in Cape Town a fortnight ago, there were plenty of positives to take from that gutsy display. Importantly, they have already claimed a major domestic scalp this season after beating the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld - proof that they can mix it with the best on their day.

Assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher and hooker PJ Botha share their thoughts on the upcoming derby

The Sharks loose-forward, Vincent Tshituka, ahead of the URC derby against his former team, the Lions.

The Sharks have received a timely boost ahead of Saturday’s United Rugby Championship derby against the Lions in Durban, with two Springboks back in the starting line-up.

Loosehead prop Ox Nché and fullback Aphelele Fassi both return from injury and slot straight into the XV, adding steel up front and class at the back for the coastal side.

Pietersen said that his side is refreshed, focused and ready to fire in their first outing of 2026.

Prenalen Subrayen discussing the pitch after the match

Adam Milne loving the atmosphere at St George's Park in Gqeberha

Bafana Bafana are through to the Last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations after edging Zimbabwe 3-2 in a pulsating five-goal thriller at the Stade de Marrakech on Monday night.

With everything to play for in this decisive Group B encounter, the COSAFA neighbours both took to the field knowing qualification for the knockout stages was within reach. It was, however, Hugo Broos’ charges who made the early running, striking inside the opening ten minutes.

Despite the celebrations, Broos was quick to sound a warning, insisting his side must raise their game ahead of the knockout stages, where they are set to face either defending champions Ivory Coast or Cameroon.

The Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has called on his chargers to rock up for Monday’s all-important Africa Cup of Nations Group B tie against Zimbabwe in Marrakech.

Despite the heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Egypt in Agadir on Friday evening, South Africa are still in a very strong position to advance to the knockout outs.

Broos warned that as well as the know Zimbabwe it will still be tough game and they have to rock for the challenge to enable their campaign survival.

Bafana Bafana are determined to bounce back on Monday night when they face Zimbabwe in Marrakesh in their third and final Group C fixture at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Speaking after the defeat in Agadir, captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams stressed the importance of learning quickly and staying positive.

Bafana Bafana and head coach Hugo Broos were left seething after a controversial 1–0 defeat to Egypt in their crucial Group B Africa Cup of Nations clash in Morocco.

The 10-man Pharaohs booked their place in the knockout stages on Friday night thanks to a contentious first-half penalty, converted by Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah, in a match that ended in frustration and disbelief for South African supporters.

After the final whistle, an incensed Broos did not hold back, though he was quick to acknowledge Egypt’s first-half performance.