South Africa vs Rwanda LIVE!
South Africa secured their qualification for next year’s World Cup with a 3-0 win over Rwanda in Mbombela. The Bafana Bafana needed a win and for Nigeria to beat Benin to ensure that they would top a tight Group C, and exactly that played out, with the Super Eagles running out 4-0 victors thanks to Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick and Frank Onyeka’s late goal.
Hugo Broos’ side took the lead early thanks to Thalente Mbatha’s super strike into the top corner on five minutes, and Oswin Appollis curled in a beauty at the second time of asking to double the advantage inside 26 minutes. It was three as Evidence Makgopa notched his first international goal, stooping low to nod home at the near post, with Rwandan goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari not able to claw it out.
Benin topped the group at the beginning of the day, but were thrashed in Uyo, single-handedly by Galatasaray striker Osimhen, who fired his country into the play-offs as runners-up, leapfrogging Benin. The Super Eagles will go into a rankings list of all the second-placed African sides, with the top four entering a knockout bracket to decide who Africa’s sole representative will be in the inter-confederation play-offs in March next year. Whoever comes out on top from the six teams that will make it there will claim the final two places at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
South Africa vs Rwanda latest news
- POST! Mahire denied a superb consolation
- GOAL! Makgopa nods in at near post
- GOAL! Appollis doubles lead
- GOAL! Mbatha fires Bafana Bafana ahead
FT: South Africa 3-0 Rwanda
18:52 , Oli GentThat's it, and South Africa have qualified for the 2026 World Cup!
South Africa 3-0 Rwanda
18:48 , Oli Gent90 mins: Three added minutes.
South Africa 3-0 Rwanda
18:47 , Oli Gent89 mins: Shabalala and Aubaas are on for Mbule and Mbatha.
South Africa 3-0 Rwanda
18:46 , Oli Gent88 mins: South Africa are returning to the world stage, and the fans know it. The atmosphere is building in anticipation of full-time.
South Africa 3-0 Rwanda
18:45 , Oli Gent84 mins: Off the post! Mahire comes so close to a spectacular consolation for the visitors, as he looks to loop one over Williams, and he connects with the woodwork! Oh so unlucky!
South Africa 3-0 Rwanda
18:39 , Oli Gent81 mins: The game is slowing down now, with South Africa knocking it around with some ease. The stadium is waiting to get the party started.
South Africa 3-0 Rwanda
18:35 , Oli Gent77 mins: It’s all smooth sailing now. South Africa are on their way to the World Cup!
GOAL! South Africa 3-0 Rwanda
18:30 , Oli Gent72 mins: It’s three, and it’s Evidence Makgopa! The corner is whipped in nicely by Appollis, and the 25-year-old steers home a near-post header!
South Africa 2-0 Rwanda
18:29 , Oli Gent72 mins: Close! A great save there from Ntwari as Mbule latches onto Appollis’ pull-back, but the Rwanda keeper gets down smartly! Corner, South Africa, with the pressure still on.
South Africa 2-0 Rwanda
18:26 , Oli Gent69 mins: Aly Hamon and Abeddy Biramahire are on for Niyomugabo and Nshuti.
South Africa 2-0 Rwanda
18:25 , Oli Gent67 mins: Close! South Africa so close to a third, as Mudau drags his effort wide, but before that, Makgopa is denied by the legs of Ntwari, and Nkota also sees his shot blocked.
South Africa 2-0 Rwanda
18:24 , Oli Gent66 mins: Still 2-0 here, and it’s 3-0 in Uyo. Victor Osimhen has a hat-trick, and South Africa are en route to the World Cup.
South Africa 2-0 Rwanda
18:20 , Oli Gent63 mins: Close! Appollis is causing all kinds of problems down the left as he gets a cutback into the box. Left-back Modiba is in there, but his effort is weak and cleared!
South Africa 2-0 Rwanda
18:17 , Oli Gent59 mins: There’s not been much quality from the Rwandans, whose belief is subsiding as time ticks on. This is perfect for the Bafana Bafana.
South Africa 2-0 Rwanda
18:12 , Oli Gent55 mins: Appollis draws another foul and yellow card for Rwanda, as Byiringiro is booked for a clip on the winger.
South Africa 2-0 Rwanda
18:10 , Oli Gent52 mins: Free kick, South Africa. Bizimana is booked for an ugly challenge on Appollis, who skips away from the captain.
In other news, Rwanda make the first change, as Imanishimwe replaces Kwizera.
South Africa 2-0 Rwanda
18:07 , Oli Gent49 mins: A reminder that with the score like this, South Africa are heading to the World Cup as group winners.
That is because Nigeria are beating Benin 2-0 in the other game, which means that the Super Eagles would move into the play-offs as runners-up.
Kick off!
18:03 , Oli Gent46 mins: We’re back underway.
HT: South Africa 2-0 Rwanda
17:48 , Oli GentThere’s the interval, and it’s all going to script for the Bafana Bafana, who top the group as it stands. They are on course to qualify for the World Cup directly.
What will the second half have in store?
South Africa 2-0 Rwanda
17:46 , Oli Gent45 mins: Two added minutes.
South Africa 2-0 Rwanda
17:44 , Oli Gent44 mins: Muhire looks to trick his way into the South Africa box as the visitors make a foray forward, but the hosts deal with it with relative ease.
South Africa 2-0 Rwanda
17:41 , Oli Gent41 mins: Over in Nigeria, Victor Osimhen has netted his and his country’s second, and that’s even better news for South Africa!
South Africa 2-0 Rwanda
17:38 , Oli Gent39 mins: Nkota is on for Morena, and has already earned himself a quick-fire yellow for a trip.
South Africa 2-0 Rwanda
17:38 , Oli Gent38 mins: As it stands - still the dream scenario for the Bafana Bafana. Nigeria are still beating Benin, and with the scores like this, South Africa will qualify directly for the World Cup.
South Africa 2-0 Rwanda
17:35 , Oli Gent35 mins: Morena is in tears as it looks like he’ll be forced off with injury. South Africa continue as Appollis whips in the set piece, which Sibisi nods over.
South Africa 2-0 Rwanda
17:33 , Oli Gent33 mins: Morena is down after a collision with Niyomugabo, and the hosts have a free kick tight to the right touchline.
South Africa 2-0 Rwanda
17:30 , Oli Gent30 mins: There’s a yellow card for Nshuti as Rwanda have a free kick. The striker is incredulous, but there’s a little kick-out from him in frustration, as confirmed by the replay.
GOAL! South Africa 2-0 Rwanda
17:27 , Oli Gent27 mins: We’ve not seen much of Appollis down the South Africa left so far, but here he comes now, latching onto Modiba’s cutback. His initial air-swipe is dealt with, but it comes back to him, and he finishes with aplomb!
South Africa 1-0 Rwanda
17:23 , Oli Gent23 mins: Makgopa is doing a good job of being a nuisance up top for the home side so far. He’s holding it up well, and running the channels to create space inside for Mbule to create.
South Africa 1-0 Rwanda
17:21 , Oli Gent20 mins: There’s not been much in terms of chances for Rwanda so far, and they’ve been sloppy in possession with the ball that they’ve had. It’s been relatively straightforward for the home side at present.
South Africa 1-0 Rwanda
17:17 , Oli Gent17 mins: Broos is giving Mokoena some instructions as the hosts look to consolidate their lead. They’ve started well here, certainly with more urgency and intent than they showed against Zimbabwe.
South Africa 1-0 Rwanda
17:13 , Oli Gent13 mins: Close! The resulting corner is met by Mokoena, who has a free header, but he nods it into the ground and off target!
South Africa 1-0 Rwanda
17:13 , Oli Gent12 mins: Close! South Africa sneak in behind as Morena and Appollis combine nicely, but he’s denied as Ntwari makes himself big!
South Africa 1-0 Rwanda
17:09 , Oli Gent9 mins: As it stands, this is the dream scenario for Hugo Broos’ side. They’re a goal to the good, and Benin are losing. Bafana Bafana top the group and are heading to north America if it stays like this.
GOAL! South Africa 1-0 Rwanda
17:06 , Oli Gent6 mins: South Africa are in front, and that’s a superb strike from Thalente Mbatha, who fires a rocket into the top corner from the edge of the area!
South Africa 0-0 Rwanda
17:04 , Oli Gent4 mins: Rwanda have a corner, which they play short, but Makgopa is alert to to clear.
South Africa 0-0 Rwanda
17:03 , Oli Gent2 mins: Good news already for Bafana Bafana, with Nigeria already 1-0 up against Benin! The ideal start for South Africa, who need Benin to lose and to win here to top the group.
Kick off!
17:00 , Oli Gent1 min: We’re underway.
Five minutes to kick off!
16:55 , Oli GentWe finally have the Rwanda lineup...
Confirmed Rwanda XI: Fiacre; Gilbert, Mutsinzi, Manzi, Niyomugabo; Mugisha; G Mugisha, Muhire, Bizimana, Kwizera; Nshuti.
Subs: Biramahire, Kavita, Nkulikiyimana, Ruboneka, Gitego, Buhake, Ishimwe, Hamon, Nshimiyimana, Imanishimwe.
Is there a situation where two teams’ records could be identical?
16:45 , Oli GentYes. Where things get interesting is a 1-0 win for Nigeria would leave them and Benin with identical records for points, goals scored, goals conceded and goal difference.
FIFA would then need to refer to their established criteria to separate teams in the event that they finish with identical records. The away goal that Nigeria scored in their 2-1 loss in Benin last summer could prove decisive in the head-to-head record between the two sides.
Benin will have the advantage if they score at least two goals in a potential loss. However, a 2-1 win for Nigeria would set up the prospect of fair play points being used as the criteria.
What is worst-case scenario for Nigeria?
16:40 , Oli GentA defeat for Nigeria ends their hopes of qualification, while a draw would only be enough for second if South Africa lose to Rwanda.
That said, 15 points should be enough to be one of the four best second-placed finishers who will enter a play-off to determine who will be Africa’s sole representative in the wider inter-confederation play-offs, which take place in March.
Only the nine group winners in CAF qualifying advance directly to next summer’s World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
What do Nigeria need to qualify?
16:29 , Oli GentNigeria’s task is a little more complicated in comparison to the other two teams in the group. While victory over Benin in Uyo is vital, they need to do so via a comfortable margin and hope that South Africa fail to beat Rwanda in Mbombela.
Currently third in the group, if the Super Eagles claim a win over Benin then the two nations will be locked on 17 points, so goal difference will be required to separate them.
As a result, Nigeria (+3GD) must win by a two-goal margin to leapfrog Benin (+5GD), whether that be for first or second place.
Simply put, Eric Chelle’s side need to score at least twice on Tuesday. For example, a 2-0, 3-1 or 4-2 win is the required result and that coupled with a favour from Rwanda would confirm top spot for the Super Eagles.
What happened last time out?
16:20 , Oli GentQuite simply, South Africa didn’t do the business.
They had “home” advantage despite being the visitors against Zimbabwe, with the pair facing off in Durban in front of a mostly South African crowd.
Even then, the Zimbabweans withstood the pressure and held them out, despite having nothing to play for in their own qualification campaign.
They claimed a very credible - and in many ways, a well-deserved - draw, throwing South Africa’s hopes of finishing top of the group into jeopardy.
Why is the group as close as it is?
16:11 , Oli GentWell, ask South Africa.
Bafana Bafana could have sealed their route to World Cup 2026 by now, but they fielded an ineligible player against Lesotho back in March.
Teboho Mokoena was suspended for that game, but played regardless, and FIFA rained down on the South Africans, overturning a 2-0 win and making it a 3-0 defeat.
That stripped them off three crucial points which would have cemented their place in the top two of this group, but that three-point deduction has hit them hard and taken it down to the final matchday.
South Africa lineup
16:04 , Oli GentConfirmed South Africa XI: Williams; Mudau, Ndamane, Sibisi, Modiba; Mbatha, Mokoena; Morena, Mbule, Appollis; Makgopa.
Subs: Chaine, Goss, Shabalala, Aubaas, Cupido, Sithole, Matuludi, Nkota, Moremi, Khoza, Kabini, Moloisane.
What do South Africa need to qualify?
15:50 , Oli GentQualification is the word on everyone’s lips this afternoon.
Broos’ side currently sit second in Group C behind leaders Benin, and Nigeria are hot on their heels, just a point further back.
Bafana Bafana are on 15 points from their nine games, while Benin sit on 17.
Benin play Nigeria in their final game this evening, and South Africa will be hoping that the Super Eagles can do them a favour by winning that game, while also doing what they need to do here and pick up all three points.
Standard Sport prediction
15:40 , Oli GentThis is a game South Africa need to win, although Rwanda are a tough nut to crack.
Bafana Bafana should have the firepower to claim an important three points here, however, and if they do, they could find themselves with direct entry into the World Cup next year.
South Africa to win, 1-0.
Rwanda team news
15:30 , Oli GentAs for the Rwandans, Djihad Bizimana of Libyan side Al Ahli is their skipper, while Innocent Nshuti and Gilbert Mugisha are their two goal threats.
19-year-old Claude Kayibanda is their only player to ply his trade in England, and he turns out for Bedford Town in the National League North.
Standard Liege’s Darryl Nkulikiyimana is uncapped in defence, while right-back Fitina Omborenga is their most season international in the squad, with 60 senior caps to date.
South Africa team news
15:07 , Oli GentReeling from the disappointment of being held by Zimbabwe last week, the South Africans need a win here to ensure that they are at least within touching distance of a top-two finish.
Lyle Foster is usually their main man up top, but he found Zimbabwean goalkeeper Washington Arubi in inspired form in Durban last time out. However, he has since been replaced by Ashley Cupido in the squad, with the Burnley striker withdrawing injured.
Oswin Appollis is their tricky left-winger, while Teboho Mokoena is their dependable busy-body in the engine room.
From a fitness perspective, Hugo Broos’ side look in good shape. How will they fare mentally with the pressure?
How to watch
15:02 , Oli GentLive stream: This game is not being televised in the UK, but those around the globe can follow it on FIFA’s official FIFA+ streaming service.
Hello and welcome!
15:00 , Oli Gent… to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of South Africa’s World Cup qualifier against Rwanda.
It’s all to play for in Group C as the top two positions go down to the wire, and Bafana Bafana will have one eye on the other crunch clash in this group in the hope that the result there goes in their favour.
Stay tuned for all the updates, with kick-off at 5pm BST.
