Hugo Broos announces Bafana Bafana's preliminary squad for World Cup qualifiers
Sipho Mbule's career revival gathered momentum on Thursday afternoon when he was included in Hugo Broos' preliminary Bafana Bafana squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria.
The midfielder was one of 13 players from Orlando Pirates that were named in the 48-man preliminary squad.
New Buccaneer star Kamogelo Sebelebele has been included, as are Sipho Chaine, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Tshepang Moremi, Deano van Rooyen Relebohile Mofokeng, Evidence Makgopa, Thalente Mbatha and Patrick Maswanganyi.
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Daily Maverick
7 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Fair dinkum – Schmidt's Wallabies have restored pride and earned respect with their character
In the past month, the Wallabies have reminded the world that they are still a proud Tier One rugby nation and are building towards a realistic assault on a home World Cup title in 2027. First, apologies to Joe Schmidt and the Wallabies. This writer didn't give them a realistic chance of winning at Ellis Park last weekend. When they were 22-0 down after 18 minutes, most of us would've bet our last cent on a Springbok victory. I did warn that the Wallabies had nothing to lose in the preview to the Rugby Championship opener last week, but honestly, once they were blitzed off the Ellis Park turf in the opening quarter, not even the most blinkered Wallaby fan would've bet on a comeback victory from there. That's what makes Test rugby so compelling. Nothing is guaranteed when teams operating in the same stratosphere come together. Think of the Boks losing to Japan in Brighton in 2015, or the mighty 2019 All Blacks being completely dismantled by England in the semifinal of RWC 2019. And then the Boks destroyed that same England side in the final a week later. It's a reminder that teams are never quite as bad as you think they are, and they're never as great as they might appear either. Squads are comprised of humans with flaws and weaknesses, in addition to their strengths. The best teams consistently mitigate their weaknesses and amplify their strengths more effectively than their opponents. The Boks have been remarkably consistent in terms of performance and results for years now. Last week was an aberration from the world champions against a team that is quickly growing and improving. The Boks learnt a tough lesson, while the Wallabies showed character and guts in addition to skill and nous. Hell, they're also a likeable bunch of men; even arch-trouble maker Nic White came across well last week. Fair dinkum blokes. There is no doubt that Wallaby rugby has struggled in recent years. The stats don't lie. They finished bottom of the log in the 2023 and 2024 Rugby Championships, and they were eliminated from the Pool stages of RWC 2023. That campaign included defeats to Fiji and a record 40-6 hammering by Wales. Australia reached rock bottom in France two years ago. The climb has been gradual and painful. In 2024, they fared little better, with six wins and seven losses in 13 Tests. The Wallabies won one of six Tests in the 2024 Rugby Championship, but by the end of the year, there were some green shoots of growth. Beating England at Twickenham was a sign of their potential, even though they were still inconsistent. Upswing This year, according to coach Joe Schmidt, they had a two-day alignment camp in January and nothing more until coming together towards the end of June to prepare to play Fiji and the British & Irish Lions. The Wallabies scraped a 21-18 win against Fiji and were completely outplayed in the first half of the first Test against the Lions. Ironically, Australia suffered a similar fate to that which the Boks suffered at Ellis Park in the second Test against the Lions. Australia led 23-5 early in the second half against the Lions in Melbourne (the Boks led 22-5 at Ellis Park last week) and went on to lose 29-26. Schmidt's men then comprehensively won the third Test 22-12 to immediately demonstrate their inner strength and character. Losing the second Test like they did, and with it the series, was crushing. Captain Harry Wilson was shattered after the second Test. But he and the team promised Wallaby fans that they had drawn a line under the result, and that from the third Test onwards they were starting afresh, with sights on World Cup victory on home soil in two years. It sounded hyperbolic at the time, but since Wilson's fighting words, the Wallabies have been true to their promise. They look like a new team with fresh ideas and renewed confidence. Since the 'new start' they're 2-0, including that famous Ellis Park win — a first in 62 years. Honest Joe Schmidt won't be in charge when Australia hosts Rugby World Cup 2027, but he has restored pride to an ailing jersey that had reached rock bottom. He wants to spend more time with his family in New Zealand, especially his son who suffers from severe epilepsy. It is a blow for the Wallabies because Schmidt is a fine coach and seemingly a superb man. He will finish up next year and has already ensured that he will leave the Wallabies on a much surer footing as the countdown to RWC 2027 begins in earnest. He is also a realist. Schmidt knows Australia rode their luck at Ellis Park at times, and he knows they're a few serious injuries away from a crisis. 'We understand that improvement is never linear,' Schmidt told the media this week. 'You may get an upswing, and at the end of that upswing may be a trench. We've just got to make sure that we try to stay as balanced as we can, as well-prepared as we can and try to keep that level of performance that we found at times in the second half at Ellis Park.' Schmidt is also a hard taskmaster and, as happy as he was last weekend, he knows that looking back won't help this weekend. Dwelling on last weekend and even further back to the first and only time the Wallabies have won back-to-back Tests in South Africa is futile. That was in 1963 when they won in Johannesburg and Cape Town. In 2025, they've ticked off Johannesburg already. 'You've got to earn respect every time you go out,' said Schmidt. 'It's nice to know what has happened [in the past], but that doesn't influence what can happen this weekend. We've got to make what can happen, happen. We can't wait around for the Springboks to bring their game. We've got to kick off with our game a lot better than we did last week. 'We're building our strength in depth. And we're building our game shape and our commitment to what we need to deliver each time. 'This is a bunch of young men who deserve support for their effort, their ability to roll their sleeves up and earn it.' They have most certainly earned our respect. Thanks, Joe and team. It's great to have the Wallabies back, and sorry for doubting you. DM
The South African
7 hours ago
- The South African
'Monyane should start for Bafana ahead of van Rooyen and Mudau' ex-Chiefs star
Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Mokete Tsotetsi feels Amakhosi's new signing Thabiso Monyane is ready to feature for Bafana Bafana. The 25-year-old right-back has been in good form since joining Chiefs on a free transfer. Having struggled for game time at Orlando Pirates, the defender was released, together with Paseka Mako. Both players were signed by the Glamour Boys in June. With Deano van Rooyen injured and Khuliso Mudau not playing for Sundowns, Tsotetsi says this could be a perfect opportunity for Monyane to play for Bafana. 'He did not have a good season last season [at Pirates] and he has come to Chiefs looking fit, and I think he has come at the right time,' he said as quoted by Soccer Laduma . 'He is doing well in the first few matches for Chiefs, and you can see that he is gaining confidence. 'With Khuliso Mudau not playing and Thapelo Morena out injured and Van Rooyen only making his first appearance of the season recently, Monyane stands a good chance of being the first choice right back in the upcoming Bafana Bafana squad,' Tsotetsi added. 'You can see his confidence is growing game by game. He is doing well with the game time he is getting. I know coach Broos is a coach who gives players who are doing well a chance. 'So, I think he will be considered for the national team, and it will be good for him,' he concluded. Despite Tsotetsi's comments, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos did not include Monyane in his preliminary squad on Thursday. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
10 hours ago
- IOL News
Sundowns coach Cardoso: Advantage or not, Orlando Pirates are a tough nut to crack
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso stresses focus and intensity ahead of Saturday's MTN8 semi-final second leg clash with Orlando Pirates. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media As anticipation builds for the MTN8 semi-final second leg clash between arch-rivals Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates on Saturday in Pretoria, coach Miguel Cardoso is keen to manage expectations, downplaying any advantages his team may hold. With memories of a tightly contested first leg still fresh — in which Sundowns secured an important away goal in a 1–1 draw — the stakes are set for a high-octane encounter at home. Reflecting on last week's performance in Orlando, Cardoso acknowledged the challenges inherent in knockout competitions. 'It might be a cliché, but it's a fact that matches like our competitions with knock-out rounds over two legs are always very tough, both tough,' he stated, underscoring the intensity and unpredictability that define this format. Despite holding the advantage of a home ground and an away goal, Cardoso remains pragmatic. 'Theoretically, people can state that there's an advantage because we already played away and we were able to score one goal,' he conceded. 'However, the reality on the pitch is what truly matters during the two legs. I think that the objectivity of football is determined by what happens inside the four lines,' he added, suggesting that both teams possess the tenacity to battle for victory. The coach offered an honest appraisal of the first match, which he said lacked finesse. 'It was clear that it was not a very aesthetically pleasing match of football, and I don't expect the second one to be much further away from that,' he said, indicating that the encounters will likely be overshadowed by physical play and fierce duels. While Cardoso expressed hope for a more visually pleasing contest this time around, he maintained a focus on the competition with evident seriousness. 'We have a clear intention to win the match because we don't consider that having scored away gives you that comfort,' he stated firmly, challenging his side to elevate their performance against a formidable opponent. As the teams prepare to face off in a match poised to determine who advances to the MTN8 final, anticipation is palpable. 'Expectations of a tough match against a serious opponent,' Cardoso remarked, recognising the significance of the fixture for players, coaches, and fans alike. 'It will be an intriguing match to follow,' he concluded, setting the stage for what promises to be an emotionally charged encounter filled with passion and intensity.
