Its happiness overall – South Africa deputy captain Themba Zwane after World Cup qualification

Deputy captain of the South African national team, Themba Zwane has shared his excitement following qualification to the 2026 World Cup.

Zwane, who plies his trade for Mamelodi Sundowns missed the sides’ game against Rwanda due to an injury setback.

In his absence, the Bafana Bafana, coached by Hugo Broos, booked their place with a convincing 3-0 victory over Rwanda on the final day of the African qualifiers on Tuesday.

The result saw South Africa finish top of their group with 18 points from 10 matches, edging out Benin and Nigeria in one of the tightest qualification races on the continent. The victory sparked widespread celebrations across Johannesburg and other major cities, as fans rejoiced at the team’s return to the global stage.

This qualification ends South Africa’s long wait since their last World Cup appearance in 2010, when they hosted the tournament. They also featured in France 1998 and Korea-Japan 2002, with their best performance being a 17th-place finish.

“It’s happiness overall. It’s always good to see the country so happy. The boys did their job very well and we are as happy as a country,” Zwane told SuperSport TV.

Their qualification comes at a time when African football is enjoying unprecedented representation. The 2026 World Cup, to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature an expanded format of 48 teams, giving Africa nine direct slots.

For South Africa, the focus now shifts to preparation and ambition. The team’s immediate target will be to advance beyond the group stage for the first time in their history and make a strong impression at the tournament.