Who is South Africa’s top scorer in World Cup history?

Bafana Bafana have been to the World Cup on three occasions and scored a total of 11 goals when exiting at the group stage in all of them.

South Africa made their World Cup debut in France in 1998, when they scored three goals, as they finished third in a group that included the hosts, Denmark and Saudi Arabia and also featured at the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea.

In this edition, Bafana Bafana scored five goals but it was not enough as they went out after finishing third in a group that was won by Spain with Paraguay second while Slovenia were last.

South Africa’s World Cup goals

At their own home tournament in 2010, they managed three goals as they also finished third in a group won by Uruguay, followed by Mexico as France surprisingly ended up last.

South Africa’s 11 goals were distributed amongst the players as the leading scorers at the World Cup each have just two goals.

Legendary strikers Shaun Bartlett and Benni McCarthy are South Africa’s top scorers in World Cup history with each having netted twice.

Shaun Bartlett

The striker, who won 74 caps and scored 29 goals, the second leading scorer for South Africa, played in one World Cup, the 1998 edition.

At this tournament, Bartlett scored twice as South Africa drew 2-2 with Saudi Arabia. He opened the scoring after 18 minutes before the Saudi’s scored two goals via the penalty spot, the first on the stroke of halftime and the second in the 74^th minute.

However, Bartlett levelled matters in stoppage time, also via the spot, for a share of the spoils.

Benni McCarthy

Benni McCarthy also played in the 1998 World Cup, forming a front two with Bartlett, and by the time the latter was scoring his brace, he had already made his mark.

McCarthy’s first World Cup goal came at the same tournament, when he earned Bafana Bafana a 1-1 draw against Denmark. The Danes had opened the scoring after 12 minutes but McCarthy drew South Africa level in the 51^st minute.

South Africa’s all-time top scorer, who made 79 appearances for Bafana Bafana and scored 31 goals, would net his second World Cup goal at the 2002 edition when they lost 3-2 to Spain.

Raul gave Spain a fourth-minute lead but McCarthy levelled after 31 minutes. The Europeans would, however, seal it through another goal from Raul, added to Gaizka Mendieta’s effort although Lucas Radebe scored Bafana Bafana’s second.