South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has unveiled a formidable preliminary squad as Bafana Bafana prepare for two decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.

The 1996 Africa Cup of Nations winners will first welcome Zimbabwe to the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday, October 10 at 3 p.m., before hosting Rwanda four days later at Mbombela Stadium with kickoff set for 6 p.m. Victory in both games would all but seal South Africa’s place at next year’s global showpiece—even if FIFA enforces a possible three-point deduction and a 3-0 forfeit stemming from its investigation into the eligibility of midfielder Teboho Mokoena during the March win over Lesotho.

Broos, who has announced this will be his final campaign in charge, is determined to leave on a high. His squad retains the core of the 23 players who recently defeated Lesotho and held Nigeria to a draw in Bloemfontein, while also welcoming back midfielder Sphephelo Sithole, making his first return since South Africa’s third-place finish at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Bafana Bafana currently top Group C with 17 points, ahead of Benin Republic on 14 and Nigeria’s Super Eagles on 11, setting the stage for a tense finish to the qualifiers.