Gavin Hunt: Bafana can be even stronger with more South Africans abroad 

Durban City head coach Gavin Hunt has commended Bafana Bafana for their impressive performance in the World Cup qualifiers that saw them seal their ticket.

Bafana Bafana qualified for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday when they beat Rwanda 3-0 as Nigeria did them a favour by defeating Benin.

Hunt is delighted that South Africa did it with a squad full of local-based players and feels the country can be untouchable if it had more stars in top leagues in the world.

Hunt wants to see more South Africans abroad

“Unbelievable [11 PSL players in the line-up], but I mean we don’t have too many players outside of our borders, do we? I still think we can be stronger if we export a few more players, and get others to play,” Hunt told iDiski Times

“Your Shandre Campbell's, they will be the next batch – it certainly can improve our football and our spot in world football. I think it can get us more scouts [from abroad] back here more, as they did in the 90s, looking for players [to sign].”

It is not just the World Cup but Bafana Bafana will also be at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and Hunt feels they need to perform better to be taken seriously as a footballing nation while it will also act as a catalyst for the upcoming players to raise the levels.

Can Bafana make a statement at AFCON & World Cup?

“It’s important that South Africa does well, you get judged as players by your national team, coaches too – so if the national team doesn’t do well your football [is perceived] not good,” added Hunt.

“So, we need to be in these tournaments, qualify for the AFCON, the World Cup – it’s easier because of the numbers, so we should be in these tournaments regularly and long may it continue.”

Bafana Bafana boss Hugo Broos has relied on players who ply their trade in the PSL with his starting XI against Rwanda having five players each from Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.