Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is on the brink of making history as he prepares to lead South Africa at FIFA World Cup 2026.
The Belgian mentor could become the most-capped coach in the national team’s history if Bafana Bafana’s international friendly against Jamaica goes ahead later this week.
Stepping down after FIFA World Cup 2026
Broos has already confirmed that he intends to step down after the World Cup, meaning he has a minimum of four matches remaining in charge of the national team.
Those fixtures include the friendly against Jamaica and South Africa’s three Group A matches at the global showpiece.
According to Flashscore, should the Jamaica clash take place as planned, Broos will move to 56 matches in charge before reaching 59 games during the World Cup, surpassing the record of 58 matches currently held by Shakes Mashaba.
The 74-year-old Broos has enjoyed a remarkable spell with the national team since taking over in May 2021.
In his 55 matches at the helm, Broos has guided South Africa to 26 wins, 21 draws and just eight defeats, with Bafana Bafana scoring 80 goals and conceding 44.
His tenure is already the longest in Bafana Bafana history, eclipsing the previous record held by the late Clive Barker.
Given South Africa’s history of frequent coaching changes, few would have predicted that a coach would remain in the position for five years.
Broos’ current spell with Bafana Bafana is also the second-longest managerial stint of his coaching career, behind the six seasons he spent in charge of Belgian giants Club Brugge between 1991 and 1997.
Challenges
South Africa’s preparations for the World Cup have not been without challenges.
The team’s departure for Mexico was delayed due to visa issues, although Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has confirmed that the squad is expected to leave on Monday.
The delay has placed some uncertainty over the proposed Jamaica friendly, with players also needing time to acclimatise at their high-altitude training base in Pachuca.
Bafana Bafana open their World Cup campaign against co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City on 11 June before taking on the Czech Republic in Atlanta on 18 June and South Korea in Monterrey on 24 June.
Should South Africa progress beyond the group stage, Broos would have the chance to extend his record even further and cap off his Bafana Bafana career with what would be an unforgettable achievement.
Bafana Bafana’s Group A FIFA World Cup 2026 fixtures
- Thursday, 11 June: Mexico vs South Africa, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City – 21:00 (SA time)
- Thursday, 18 June: Czech Republic vs South Africa, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 18:00 (SA time)
- Thursday, 25 June: South Africa vs South Korea, Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe – 03:00 (SA time)
Most matches in charge of Bafana Bafana
| Coach | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA |
| Shakes Mashaba | 58 | 32 | 21 | 5 | 94 | 40 |
| Hugo Broos | 55 | 26 | 21 | 8 | 80 | 44 |
| Stuart Baxter | 52 | 23 | 13 | 16 | 78 | 58 |
| Clive Barker | 43 | 22 | 9 | 12 | 57 | 38 |
| Carlos Alberto Parreira | 36 | 16 | 13 | 7 | 49 | 25 |
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