One African Cup of Nations title and two World Cup appearances show that South Africa have accomplished a great deal since being readmitted to CAF and FIFA in the early nineties.

The side has a number of players plying their trade in Europe, ranging from the Premier League to the Israeli top flight. The South African Premier Soccer League is improving fast, with a decent amount of Bafana players being sourced from teams such as Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United.
South Africa qualified automatically for the competition as hosts of the 2010 World Cup. They beat bids from other African countries in order to secure the first ever World Cup to be held on the continent.

Strengths
Skillful and quick, a number of the South African players are technically gifted and are confident enough to go for the dribble when others may not. Goalkeepers have always been of a high quality in the host nation, and the present crop is no different.

Star men
Benni McCarthy (Blackburn Rovers)
Steven Pienaar (Everton)
Bernard Parker (FC Twente)