Choose your own Bafana Bafana World Cup legends XI – does anyone from the 2026 squad make the cut?

South African football fans have been waiting 16 years for this moment. Bafana Bafana return to the World Cup stage in 2026 for the first time since hosting the tournament on home soil in 2010 — and Hugo Broos’ side will be desperate to make the occasion count.

South Africa open their 2026 World Cup campaign in the most dramatic fashion imaginable, facing Mexico in the tournament’s opening fixture on June 11 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City — a direct echo of the famous 2010 opener.

They then face Czechia on June 18 in Atlanta before rounding off the group stage against South Korea in Monterrey on June 24.

The question now is whether any of Broos’ current squad can cement themselves alongside the icons of Bafana Bafana’s past. Here, Afrik-Foot gives you the chance to build your own South African World Cup legends XI — be sure to share your selections with friends and across social media.

Who are Bafana Bafana’s greatest World Cup legends?

South Africa have produced some of the most gifted footballers the African continent has ever seen, and their three World Cup appearances — in 1998, 2002 and 2010 — have given fans a rich pool of legends to draw from.

Lucas Radebe is perhaps the most revered of them all. The Leeds United captain earned 70 caps for Bafana Bafana and was described by Nelson Mandela as his hero — a defender of absolute authority and leadership who anchored South Africa’s defence across multiple tournaments.

Benni McCarthy remains the nation’s all-time leading scorer with 31 international goals. The Porto and Blackburn Rovers striker was at his devastating best in France 1998, and his predatory finishing makes him an automatic selection for most fans.

Doctor Khumalo, known as 16V for his engine and vision in midfield, was the heartbeat of the South Africa side that qualified for their first-ever World Cup in 1998. His technical quality and flair made him one of the most watchable midfielders of his generation on the African continent.

Siphiwe Tshabalala needs no introduction to anyone who watched the 2010 World Cup. His thunderous left-footed strike to open the tournament against Mexico at Soccer City is one of the most iconic goals in World Cup history — a moment that stopped a nation and sent shockwaves around the globe.

Aaron Mokoena, the most-capped player in Bafana Bafana history with 107 appearances, combined physical presence with intelligent reading of the game across three World Cups. Mark Fish provided similar defensive solidity at the back alongside Radebe, while Shaun Bartlett’s clever forward play and work rate made him a reliable presence up front across two tournaments.

Quinton Fortune, the versatile Manchester United midfielder, brought European pedigree and tactical discipline to the national side, while goalkeeper Hans Vonk and later Itumeleng Khune offered different qualities between the sticks across different eras.

Now, with Lyle Foster, Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis preparing to write their own chapters in Mexico, Atlanta and Monterrey, the debate about South Africa’s greatest World Cup XI has never felt more relevant.

Pick your team — and tell us in the comments whether anyone from the 2026 squad deserves a place among the legends.