Ranking The 10 Best South Africa Football Players Of All Time
South Africa launched themselves onto the global football stage when hosting the 2010 World Cup and boast some of the most iconic players in African football history.
One-time winners of AFCON, Bafana Bafana have a special spot in football fans’ hearts thanks to that 2010 tournament, whether it be the sound of the vuvuzelas, the memory of K’naan’s Wavin’ Flag or the string of high-profile players to emerge from the country down the years.
But who is the greatest South African footballer of all time?
10 Siphiwe Tshabalala
Siphiwe Tshabalala racked up 90 caps for South Africa during his career, scoring 12 times, but his influence spans far beyond the numbers on the stat sheet courtesy of his stunning opening goal at the 2010 World Cup.
The versatile winger was part of the squad for three different AFCON campaigns, and was also nominated for FIFA’s Puskas award for that memorable strike against Mexico.
Known for his direct style of play, brilliant crossing and a wand of a left foot, he spent the majority of his club career at Kaizer Chiefs, winning the South African top flight twice during his time with the famous club.
9 Teko Modise
Teko Modise is one of the greatest PSL player of all time and starred for the national team during the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Part of the COSAFA Cup winning team of 2007, he was a perfect box to box midfielder, capable of linking play with his ball-carrying or creating chances with his passing.
His performances at AFCON and World Cup tournaments showcased his confidence and technical ability, and like Tshabalala his influence goes far beyond the pitch, as he was one of just ten worldwide players selected to wear a limited edition Nike Mercurial SuperFly boot alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba.
8 Itumeleng Khune
Itumeleng Khune is widely regarded as the nation’s greatest goalkeeper of all time.
His international legacy is defined by longevity and memorable tournament performances, representing the country at AFCON tournaments and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
His ball-playing ability, shot-stopping and leadership from the back were critical during periods when Bafana Bafana relied heavily on defensive stability.
Khune was also a three-time PSL winner with Kaizer Chiefs and the league’s player of the year in 2013.
7 Percy Tau
Percy Tau’s international impact is still growing, but his influence in recent years has been significant.
He has become a central figure in Bafana Bafana’s attacking setup and played a crucial role in South Africa’s third-place finish at the 2023 AFCON, scoring once in that campaign.
Tau’s performances at club level also reflect the modern evolution of South African football, becoming one of the few to play in the Premier League with Brighton and in the UEFA Champions League with Club Brugge.
6 Jomo Sono
Playing during an era when South Africa was isolated from FIFA competition, Jomo Sono’s career is not defined by statistics.
He became an unofficial global representative of South African football through exhibition matches and international leagues.
When Bafana Bafana returned to international football, Sono’s influence helped bridge generations, famously scoring four goals in a match against Argentina and serving as a player-manager and caretaker manager on multiple occasions.
At club level, Sono played for several iconic clubs in South Africa and the United States, while his son Bamuza later represented Bafana Bafana as well.
5 Steven Pienaar
Steven Pienaar was a consistent and reliable presence for Bafana Bafana across several generations and has one of the most impressive high-level club careers of any African player, appearing in the Premier League over 200 times and in the Champions League on 27 occasions.
He represented South Africa at the FIFA World Cup and multiple AFCON tournaments, eventually captaining the national side.
While his club career often drew more attention, Pienaar’s versatility, work rate and leadership were vital in stabilising the national team during transitional periods, with 61 caps to his name.
4 Neil Tovey
Picture a good old fashioned defender and you picture Neil Tovey.
Racking up over 600 club appearances in South Africa, his international importance extends beyond his footballing ability. As captain of Bafana Bafana during the 1996 AFCON win, he led the team through pressure-filled matches with composure and authority.
His role as the first white captain in the post-apartheid era gave his leadership deep symbolic meaning, reinforcing unity at a crucial moment in the country’s sporting history, playing over 50 times for his country and captaining the side in more than half of those.
3 Doctor Khumalo
The man with the most appearances in Kaizer Chiefs history, Doctor Khumalo performances at club and international level make him one of the greatest African players of all time.
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His influence on the national team was built on control, creativity and intelligence, starring in midfield for nearly a decade. He was the creative heartbeat of the 1996 AFCON-winning side and a key figure in the 1998 AFCON final run.
Khumalo helped shape how Bafana Bafana were perceived – as a technical, intelligent footballing nation – and helped bring African football to a global scale, selected as an MLS all-star for his performances with Columbus Crew.
2 Benni McCarthy
Benni McCarthy is South Africa’s greatest goalscorer of all time, racking up 168 domestic league goals throughout a club career spanning 18 years and five countries.
As Bafana Bafana’s all-time leading scorer with 31 strikes in just 79 caps, he delivered in major tournaments and qualification campaigns, playing a key role in the 1998 AFCON silver medal and multiple World Cup appearances.
McCarthy gave South Africa a genuine world-class striker presence in international competition, and at club level won league titles with Ajax, Porto and Orlando Pirates.
1 Lucas Radebe
Lucas Radebe remains South Africa’s greatest footballer largely because of what he represented and delivered at international level.
As captain of Bafana Bafana, he was the defensive cornerstone of the historic 1996 AFCON victory and a leader during South Africa’s reintegration into world football.
His performances against elite international opposition, combined with his reputation on the wider football stage courtesy of over 200 appearances for Leeds United, left a lasting impact on African football as a whole.
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