Mamelodi Sundowns could once again form the backbone in the Bafana Bafana setup following their impressive resurgence in the second half of the season.
At the recent Africa Cup of Nations, only five Sundowns players were included in South Africa national football team.
Injuries and inconsistent form limited their representation, while rivals Orlando Pirates had nine players in the squad as Bafana Bafana exited in the round of 16.
Despite their smaller contingent, four of Sundowns’ five representatives were regular starters under coach Hugo Broos, underlining the club’s continued influence at international level.
Sundowns form is good news for Bafana
With the Brazilians hitting top gear domestically and in Africa, that number could rise significantly ahead of the next FIFA World Cup cycle.
Although Sundowns have been eliminated from domestic cup competitions, they remain firmly in contention for the Betway Premiership title and the CAF Champions League.
They currently top the league standings with 38 points after a strong run of results.
Who could make the cut?
Established internationals such as Khuliso Mudau, Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba have already cemented their places in the national setup.
However, several other Sundowns players are pushing strongly for Bafana inclusion.
Themba Zwane has returned to full fitness after a lengthy injury struggle. If “Mshishi” maintains his form, he is almost certain to reclaim his spot in the Bafana squad.
Midfielder Jayden Adams has been one of the standout performers in the second half of the season, emerging as one of the league’s most influential midfielders. A strong showing in the Champions League could further strengthen his international credentials.
Bafana could have Sundowns centre-back pairing
In defence, the partnership of Grant Kekana and Khulumani Ndamane has brought stability at the back. Both could feature in upcoming international friendlies as Broos continues fine-tuning his squad.
With several Pirates players battling inconsistency, the door appears open for more Sundowns stars to reclaim or secure places in the national team setup.
If their current form continues, the Brazilians may once again dominate the green and gold.