South Africa player ratings against Czechia
South Africa kept alive their World Cup hopes with a late penalty equaliser against Czechia in Atlanta on Thursday after going behind early.
Take a bow Bafana Bafana and Teboho Mokoena for a well-earned point against Czechia in their second match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup #BafanaBafana#BafanaPride#FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/e7xeQXh3EP
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Teboho Mokoena’s spot kick leaves South Africa needing to beat South Korea next week to have any chance of advancing to the knockout rounds.
Here are SuperSport’s player ratings for the game:
Ronwen Williams (5): South Africa’s captain saw a lot of the ball in a sweeping role, but his inclusion served only to slow down the build-ups. There was one vital save from Williams early in the second half from a Czech header that had it gone in would have seen them comfortable 2-0 up.
Aubrey Modiba (5): You cannot fault the work rate of Modiba, but he was caught out of position several times, tried long-range shots from ridiculously far out (coach Broos told him to), and chipped several balls into the penalty area that the Czech defence was always going to gobble up. Fans would rather he be running at opposing defenders.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi (8): Another outstanding performance from the one-man dynamo who gobbled up the Czech attackers. He made a single mistake, which was a dangerous square pass from the side of the pitch to the other.
Khuliso Mudau (5): It was his mistake that led to the Czech goal as he allowed the ball to slide past him in a bad error of judgment. But to be fair, Mudau was a key element as Bafana brightened up considerably near the end of the game and pushed for victory.
Ime Okon (5): Big and strong but too often caught out of position, as had been the case in the big game against Mexico. But it is obvious he is gaining confidence and quickly adjusting to playing on the biggest stage of them all.
Teboho Mokoena (8): A monster game from the midfielder who drove the game forward and tracked back in defence when needed. The blot on his copybook is his temper and an unnecessary yellow card that means he misses the next match.
Thalente Mbatha (5): Not very effective in the midfield holding role and will probably lose his place to Yaya Sithole for the next game now that Sithole has served his one-match ban.
Jayden Adams (5): Did not play too badly in the first half with a decent range of passing but was slow in the build-up and got sacrificed at the break to bring Relebohile Mofokeng on in a more attacking role.
Oswin Appollis (5): More was expected of Appollis but after some early glimpses of intent he looked to be shut out of the attack by the Czech defender except for one chance late on when a heavy first touch cost him.
Thapelo Maseko (6): Did not seem to know when to run or not and therefore did not properly use his pace but should stay in the side for the next game because he is a real threat. His shot on goal won Bafana their late penalty.
Iqraam Rayners (5): It was a surprise that he was picked ahead of Lyle Foster in the starting line-up and it is hard to understand why, as he struggled against the physical Czech defenders to hold up the ball with too many heavy touches. Had one chance before halftime in front of goal that he botched.
Relebohile Mofokeng (7): While the 21-year-old did not have a dynamic game, his introduction just after halftime gave the team a psychological lift and his constant probing put the Czechs on the back foot.
Evidence Makgopa (6): The big striker, who came on for Rayners in the 66th minute, was the only player to get a shot on target in the game (besides the Mokoena penalty).
Kamogelo Sebelebele also came on but did not play long enough to get a rating.
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