South Africa isn’t what comes to mind first when one thinks of footballing powerhouses. However, they have shown glimpses of competitiveness, brilliance, and promise in the last two decades or so. Bafana Bafana, as the South African men’s national football team is called, hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which remains a cult classic. They had previously taken part in the competition in 1998 and 2002.
They’ve had more success in the Africa Cup of Nations though. They won the trophy in 1996, making it their only major trophy so far. They finished second in 1998 and third in 2000 and 2023. A lot of this progress is owed to some brilliant players the country has produced. They have not only shone for South Africa but also made their marks in some of the biggest European clubs. So, let’s take a look at the top 10 best South African footballers of all time
10. Siphiwe Tshabalala
Who can forget Peter Drury’s iconic commentary when Siphiwe Tshabalala broke with the ball to score for Bafana Bafana against Mexico at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The host nation erupted in joy as the striker found the back of the net. Tshabalala scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists in 85 games for the country overall. At the club level, he played for well-known clubs like Kaizer Chiefs, FS Stars, and AmaZulu FC.
Siphiwe Tshabalala Stats
| Appearances | 366 |
| Goals | 55 |
| Trophies | South African League x 2 |
| International Caps | 91 |
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9. Doctor Khumalo
Doctor Khumalo was a key member of the South African side that won the 1996 AFCON. The midfielder known for his passing ability made 21 appearances for the side, scoring three goals and providing two assists. While, At the club level, he also played for Kaizer Chiefs and also made 45 appearances for MLS side Columbus Crew, scoring five goals and providing three assists.
Doctor Khumalo Stats
| Appearences | 45 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Trophies | AFCON, South African League x 4 |
| International Caps | 50 |
8. Philemon Masinga
The late Philemon Masinga made 30 appearances for Bafana Bafana across competitions, scoring five goals and providing one assist. He was also part of the squad that won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring one goal and providing one assist in five games. His goal was the nation’s first-ever at AFCON. Masinga also played for Leeds United in England, joining them from Mamelodi Sundowns in 1994. He scored nine goals in 36 appearances for them. He also played in the Serie A with Salernitana, registering four goals and one assist in 16 games.
Philemon Masinga Stats
| Appearances | 310 |
| Goals | 110 |
| Trophies | AFCON |
| International Caps | 58 |
7. Aaron Mokoena
Mokoena was the first African player to captain a host nation at a FIFA World Cup, doing so in 2010. He is also the player with most appearances for South Africa with 107 and he scored two goals in that time. At club level, Mokoena played for the likes of Ajax, Bayer Leverkusen, and Blackburn Rovers. The centre-back spent most of his time with the Rovers, registering 139 appearances.
Aaron Mokoena Stats
| Appearences | 341 |
| Goals | 7 |
| Trophies | NA |
| International Caps | 107 |
6. Mark Fish
Mark Fish made 62 appearances for his national side, scoring two goals. The centre-back scored an important goal in South Africa’s 2-1 win over Algeria in the 1996 AFCON quarter-finals as they went on to win the trophy. He was named in the Team of the Tournament that year and in 1998 as well. At club level, Fish made 117 appearances for Bolton and 109 for Charlton Athletic. He also played for the likes of Ipswich Town and Serie A side Lazio.
Mark Fish Stats
| Appearances | 246 |
| Goals | 7 |
| Trophies | South African League, CAF Champions League, AFCON |
| International Caps | 62 |
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5. John Moshoeu
The attacking midfielder scored eight goals in 73 appearances for Bafana Bafana. He scored the winner in the aforementioned 2-1 win over Algeria and then a brace in a 3-0 win over Ghana in the 1996 AFCON semi-finals. He was the second-highest scorer in that tournament. Moshoeu remains the oldest player to play for the side at 38 years old. He also played for the likes of Fenerbahce before passing away due to stomach cancer in 2015.
John Moshoeu Stats
| Appearences | 336 |
| Goals | 70 |
| Trophies | South African League, Turkish League, AFCON |
| International Caps | 73 |
4. Shaun Bartlett
The former centre-forward is the second-highest scorer for Bafana Bafana with 29 goals in 74 games. He scored in their 3-0 win over Ghana at the 1996 AFCON. At club level, Shaun Bartlett played in the MLS for the Colorado Rapids and NY/NJ Metrostars and for FC Zurich in Switzerland. However, he spent most of his time at Charlton Athletic, scoring 26 goals and providing one assist in 137 appearances. He also won the Premier League Goal of the Season award in the 2000-01 season.
Shaun Bartlett Stats
| Appearances | 340 |
| Goals | 91 |
| Trophies | South African League, AFCON |
| International Caps | 74 |
3. Steven Pienaar
Steven Pienaar made 62 appearances for South Africa, scoring three goals. At club level though, over 400 appearances for the likes of Everton, Ajax, Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund. He won two Eredivisie titles, one Dutch Super Cup and one Dutch Cup with Ajax, making 133 appearances and registering 18 goals and 22 assists for them. He also played 229 games for Everton, scoring 26 goals and providing 46 assists.
Steven Pienaar Stats
| Appearances | 441 |
| Goals | 46 |
| Trophies | Dutch League x 2, Dutch Super Cup |
| International Caps | 62 |
2. Lucas Rabede
Lucas Rabede is an icon for South African football. He helped them win the 1996 AFCON and also captained the side at the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and 2002. He made 70 appearances for the country and also helped them win the bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup. At club level, Rabede is a Leeds United legend. He joined them in 1994 from Kaizer Chiefs and went on to make 255 appearances for them in 11 years. He was also linked with a move to Manchester United but injuries forced him to retire in 2005.
Lucas Rabede Stats
| Appearences | 255 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Trophies | South African League, AFCON |
| International Caps | 70 |
1. Benni McCarthy
Benni McCarthy is certainly the most iconic and famous South African footballer. He is the country’s all-time top scorer with 31 goals in 71 games. He scored seven goals in their route to the final in the 1998 AFCON, winning the Golden Boot and the Player of the Tournament award. At the club level, McCarthy played for numerous top European clubs like Ajax, Blackburn Rovers, FC Porto, and Celta Vigo. He won the UEFA Champions League with Porto in 2004 and won league titles twice each with Porto and Ajax, among other trophies.
His most appearances came for Blackburn Rovers as he registered 52 goals and nine assists in 140 appearances. McCarthy was currently part of Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff at Manchester United, though left the club this summer.
Benni McCarthy Stats
| Appearences | 472 |
| Goals | 175 |
| Trophies | Dutch League, Portuguese League, UEFA Champions League |
| International Caps | 80 |
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FAQs
Q. Who is the best player in South African football?
A. Benni McCarthy is widely regarded as the greatest player in South African football.
Q. Who is the current best South African footballer?
A. South Africa have some great footballers currently like Lyle Foster (Burnley), and Percy Tau (Al Ahly).
Q. Who has the most number of appearances for the South African National Team?
A. Aaron Mokoena has the most number of appearances – 107 for his country South Africa.
Q. Who’s the all-time highest goal scorer of Bafana Bafana?
A. Benni McCarthy is the all-time highest goal scorer for South Africa with 31 goals.
Q. Who are the top South African players to have played in the Premier League?
A. Lucas Radebe, Benni McCarthy, Steven Pienaar and Quinton Fortune are top South African players to have played in the Premier League.