Khuliso Mudau injury leaves Bafana Bafana facing right-back dilemma

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Khuliso Mudau’s Achilles injury is a major setback for South Africa, with Bafana Bafana yet to properly test a replacement for their established right-back in competitive football for almost four years.

Mudau is expected to be out for at least six months after rupturing his Achilles during Sundowns’ 2-0 Betway Premiership victory over Marumo Gallants on Wednesday.

His absence will be a significant concern for South Africa’s incoming coach, with the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to begin next month.

The 31-year-old has become the first-choice right-back for both club and country. Since making his international debut in March 2022, he has been a near-permanent presence for Bafana Bafana, particularly in competitive matches.

The former Black Leopards defender was immediately selected for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign and has missed only two important matches for South Africa since then, including qualifiers and tournament fixtures.

His first absence came in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March 2025. South Africa won that match 3-0, with Nyiko Mobbie replacing Mudau and Zuko Mdunyelwa among the substitutes.

Mudau was also unavailable for the 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Nigeria six months later.

Apart from those two matches, the Musina-born defender has featured throughout the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and the tournament itself, including the third-place play-off, in which South Africa finished third.

He also played in every match of the 2025 continental qualifying campaign and the main tournament, where Bafana Bafana were eliminated in the round of 16.

Mudau’s run of availability continued during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, which began in November 2023. He then featured throughout the finals in Mexico, United States and Canada last winter, as South Africa reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history.

That record has made Mudau one of the most dependable members of the national team. He has started approximately 94% of South Africa’s competitive matches since his debut.

His injury therefore raises immediate doubts over whether Bafana Bafana have an adequate replacement ready for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, particularly with a new coach preparing to take charge.

The national team’s reliance on Mudau has been especially clear in competitive football, where he has occupied the right side of the defence almost without interruption. South Africa will now have to find a way to cover his absence while also adapting to a change in leadership on the touchline.

For Sundowns, the injury removes a key player from their defence for a prolonged period. For Bafana Bafana, it creates a selection problem in a position that has remained settled since Mudau established himself in 2022.