Thapelo Maseko’s left-footed finish in the 63rd minute at the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey delivered South Africa into the knockout rounds of a World Cup for the first time in their history. The 1-0 victory over South Korea, combined with Mexico’s concurrent 3-0 win against the Czech Republic, lifted Hugo Broos’s side to second place in Group A on four points, behind the perfect nine of the co-hosts. South Korea, who had needed only a draw to advance directly, slipped to third with three points and must now wait to learn whether they will progress as one of the best third-placed teams.

South Korea began with intent, Kim Min-jae’s header cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba inside two minutes and Lee Kang-in firing narrowly wide soon after. Yet South Africa, written off after a 2-0 opening loss to Mexico that included two red cards, grew into the contest. Evidence Makgopa squandered the clearest chance of the first half when he poked a rebound straight at goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu from close range, while Maseko himself had earlier been denied by a last-ditch tackle from Lee Gi-hyuk. The pattern held after the interval: South Korea introduced captain Son Heung-min at the break but struggled to create clear openings, and South Africa struck decisively when substitute Tshepang Moremi crossed low from the left for Maseko to shift the ball onto his left foot and drill inside the near post.

The goal triggered a tense final half-hour, with South Korea pressing desperately and Ronwen Williams making a critical late save to deny Park Jin-seob’s header. At the final whistle, Broos sank to his knees, later describing the achievement as “historic” and praising a five-year project that had forged a bond beyond the usual coach-player relationship. Captain Ronwen Williams revealed the squad had used pre-tournament dismissals as fuel, while Broos spoke of answering “all those big mouths” who had called for changes after the Mexico defeat. The result marked the first time in four World Cup appearances—1998, 2002, 2010, and now 2026—that Bafana Bafana have survived the group stage.

South Africa will face co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on 28 June, a fixture that offers a path to the last 16. South Korea, meanwhile, are left to monitor results in Groups E, H, I, and J, their goal difference of minus-one leaving them vulnerable. Mexico, who topped the group with a perfect record, await a last-32 opponent at the Azteca Stadium. For the Korean side, the decision to leave Son on the bench until the second half will be scrutinised, as a campaign that began with promise ended in Monterrey with a night of frustration and an anxious wait.