Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has expressed his delight after joining the exclusive club of players who have earned 50 caps for the national team.
Williams reached a half a century of appearances for Bafana Bafana during South Africa’s 3-0 thrashing of South Sudan as they competed their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with a flourish at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday.
The Ballon d’Or nominee has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the last 10 years since making his debut for the national team in March 2014 when he received a baptism of fire as South Africa lost 5-0 against Brazil in a friendly match.
Williams credits his rise to tough debut
Since then, Williams has become one of the standout players for the national team and is currently considered the best in his position on the continent especially after his Ballon d’Or nomination and having been named Best Goalkeeper at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
“This is a wonderful moment for me, for my family who’s been on the journey with me,” Williams told SABC Sport after the match.
“It hasn’t been an easy journey. The start to my international stage was a tough one. I had to endure and push through. There were so many doubts, but I think that game [5-0 defeat to Brazil] made me what I am today.
“That turned a boy into a man at such a young age [22], and I knew I had to fight and dig deep. And I’m just proud of myself for not giving up, for persevering and keeping fighting. This is a wonderful achievement.”
Who else joined the 50 club this year?
Williams feels Bafana Bafana have now come of age and should be counted among the best on the continent.
“I’m just glad now that South Africa is back on the map. Back where we belong. We’ve had an amazing year. Amazing few years and we just need to keep going,” he added.
“This atmosphere is amazing. Bringing the country, uniting the country. That’s more important. Just seeing all the smiles and happiness in the country is just amazing.”
‘Ronza’ becomes the second player this year, after Thema Zwane, to reach 50 caps and the 30th in the exclusive list of those who have a half a century or more appearances for South Africa.
