The hosts return
South Africa’s last World Cup was 2010 on home soil. Sixteen years later, a new generation of fans gets to see Bafana Bafana at a tournament. This qualification carries emotional weight you cannot overstate.
The design
Iconic yellow home shirt with green collar and shoulder trim, and a redesigned crest featuring the Protea flower. Paired with green shorts. The yellow is brighter than 2010 and the overall look is more modern, but the identity is untouched.
Who to watch
Percy Tau still producing in his thirties, Teboho Mokoena running the midfield, Ronwen Williams the penalty-stopping hero from the Africa Cup of Nations. Group A with Mexico, Korea and a playoff winner is winnable.
Why you should care
The yellow kit looks incredible in stadium sunlight and crowd shots. South Africa at any World Cup is a vibe, a colour, a soundtrack. Get the shirt.
Buy and read more
Grab it on the South Africa buy page. Tomorrow: Saudi Arabia. Full countdown.