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Who are the 10 best South African footballers of all time?
Lenah Ann
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:28 PM
South Africa's national Football team ranks at number 67 in the FIFA World Cup qualifications as of 2023. It is a splendid ranking despite failure in major tournaments. Some South African footballers have made their names in domestic and international competitions while trying to take their country to greater heights.
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Legendary players, such as Benni McCarthy, became the greatest South African footballer of all time. Most of the country's youngsters are being signed by low-division European clubs, and it is only a matter of time before they join the major European leagues.
Top 10 best South African footballers in 2023
To be considered among the greatest South African footballers is a challenging task. These players have played international and home games and performed best, making their countries proud.
According to various online sources, below is a list of the top 10 best South African footballers right now.
10. Itumeleng Khune
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Khune is a professional soccer goalkeeper and a captain for both the Kaizer Chiefs of the Premier Soccer League and the South Africa national team. He rose to stardom after saving three penalties against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Telkom Knockout finals.
He is famed for saving a penalty shot from David Villa and making a double save in the 2009 group stage of the FIFA Confederation Cup in a match against Spain, European giants. Additionally, he performed a Rene Higuita scorpion kick save in a game against Mpumalanga Black Aces, and as a result, his fame skyrocketed.
Full name | Itumeleng Issac Khune |
Date of birth | 20 June 1987 |
Age | 35 years old (as of March 2023) |
Position | Goalkeeper |
Current team | Kaizer Chiefs |
Caps | 91 |
9. Ronwen Williams
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Ronwen is one of the best footballers in his country. He plays as a goalkeeper for the Mamelodi Sundowns of the Premier Soccer League and the South Africa national team.
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The legend spent his youthful years in the Premier League's club Tottenham Hotspurs, and he was considered one of the best soccer players in England. In March 2014, he debuted for South Africa in a friendly match against Brazil.
Full name | Ronwen Hayden Williams |
Date of birth | 21 January 1992 |
Age | 31 years old (as of March 2023) |
Position | Goalkeeper |
Current team | Mamelodi Sundowns |
Caps | 28 |
8. Lyle Foster
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Foster is a South African-based professional footballer who is a forward for the South African national team and the Belgian First Division A club Westerlo. Currently, he is one of the best South African players in Europe.
In January 2019, he signed for Monaco on a deal until June 2023, and on 30 August 2019, he joined Cercle Brugge in Belgium on a season-long loan. The legendary footballer later moved to Vitoria de Guimaraes, and in 2021 he joined his current club on a season-long loan.
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Full name | Lyle Brent Foster |
Date of birth | 3 September 2000 |
Age | 22 years old (as of March 2023) |
Position | Forward |
Current team | Burnley |
Caps | 9 |
7. Aubrey Modiba
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Modiba is a South African soccer player who plays left-midfielder or left-back for the South African national team and the Mamelodi Sundowns of the Premier Soccer League. Before joining the national team, he was a South African U20 soccer team member.
The renowned footballer represented South Africa in the 2016 Summer Olympics soccer competitions. Before joining the Mamelodi Sundowns, he was a midfielder for the Mpumalanga Black Aces and the South Africa national U23 team.
Full name | Maphosa Posman Modiba |
Date of birth | 22 July 1995 |
Age | 27 years old (as of March 2023) |
Position | Winger |
Current team | Mamelodi Sundowns |
Caps | 11 |
6. Nyiko Mobbie
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The South African-based professional footballer, Mobbie, plays for the South Africa national team and Sekhukhune United as a right-back on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns.
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On 4 August 2019, Mobbie debuted for the South Africa national team in a match against Lesotho in the 2020 African Nations Championship qualifier. In the 2021 COSAFA Cup tournament, he made five appearances, and during the finals, the country won in a match against Senegal.
Full name | Nyiko Sydney Mobbie |
Date of birth | 11 September 1994 |
Age | 28 years old (as of March 2023) |
Position | Right-back |
Current team | Sekhukhune United |
Caps | 12 |
5. Zakhele Lepasa
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Lepasa is a centre-forward for the Orlando Pirates of the South African Premier Division and the South Africa national football team.
The famed soccer player kicked off his career at Orlando Pirates, and in August 2018, he moved to Stellenbosch on loan for the season. On 2 June 2019, Lepasa made his international debut in a match against Botswana and scored during the penalty shoot-outs in the 2019 COSAFA Cup.
Full name | Zakhele Lerato Lepasa |
Date of birth | 19 March 1997 |
Age | 26 years old (as of March 2023) |
Position | Centre-forward |
Current team | Orlando Pirates |
Caps | 2 |
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4. Bongani Zungu
Bongani is a renowned midfielder who plays for the Mamelodi Sundowns and the South African national team. At the beginning of the 2012/13 season, he left Dynamos, joined the University of Pretoria, and helped the AmaTuks secure the eighth spot in the club's debut campaign.
The renowned professional soccer player made his international debut for his country in a victory match against Burkina Faso in August 2013.
Full name | Bongani Zungu |
Date of birth | 9 October 1992 |
Age | 30 years old (as of March 2023) |
Position | |
Current team | Mamelodi Sundowns |
Caps | 30 |
3. Themba Zwane
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Themba is among the best current footballers in his country. He plays as an attacking midfielder for the South Africa national team and the Mamelodi Sundowns.
During the 2013/14 season, he was loaned to the Mpumalanga Black Aces, and he was later crowned the PSL Footballer of the Season in the 2019/20 season.
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Full name | Themba Zwane |
Date of birth | 3 August 1989 |
Age | 33 years old (as of March 2023) |
Position | Attacking midfielder |
Current team | Mamelodi Sundowns |
Caps | 24 |
2. Mihlali Mayambela
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Mihlali started his youth career with the Old Mutual Academy, Orlando Pirates, and Kaizer Chiefs FC. He plays as a midfielder for Aris Limassol and the South African national team.
However, the football star has had quite a ride in his career as he has had the opportunity to play in several teams worldwide, from the Cape Town All-Stars to Swedish Allsvenskan side Djurgardens IF and to Farense, where he was loaned out on multiple occasions before finally landing on his current team.
Full name | Mihlali Samson Mayambela |
Date of birth | 25 August 1996 |
Age | 26 years old (as of March 2023) |
Position | Midfielder, winger |
Current team | Aris Limassol |
Caps | 2 |
1. Percy Tau
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Finally, topping the list of best South African footballers is Percy Tau, who is utterly the true definition of a legend in his country. He plays as a forward for the South African national team and the Egyptian Premier League club, Al Ahly SC, which he joined on a two-year contract in 2021.
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The renowned soccer player debuted with the Mamelodi Sundowns and made 100 appearances. Even though he joined Brighton in 2018, he was loaned to Union SG following alleged complications with his work permit.
Full name | Percy Muzi Tau |
Date of birth | 13 May 1994 |
Age | 28 years old (as of March 2023) |
Position | Forward, winger |
Current team | Al Ahly |
Caps | 32 |
Who is the current best African player?
As of 2023, Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian forward currently playing for Premier League club Liverpool, is the best African player. Since joining the club in 2017, he has notched 129 goals in 206 appearances.
Which South African footballer played for Manchester United?
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The former South African football player and coach, Benni McCarthy, joined Manchester United in July 2022 as a first-team coach after being signed by Erik ten Hag.
Are there any white South African soccer players?
In the past, several white players were in the Premier Soccer League's top flight. These white players, such as Dillon Shepperd, Erik Tinkler, Gavin Lane, Dean Furman, and Neil Tovey, made history and memorable moments in the country.
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Although South African footballers are talented, most must be signed in Europe's top-division leagues. Only a tiny fraction has made it into the European league and has given quite a performance. The current youngsters have indicated that the country is focused on sports, especially soccer, and in the coming years, most players will join significant clubs in Europe.
READ ALSO: A list of the best South African football players abroad
Sports Brief compiled a list of the best South African football players abroad. Some players play in the low-profile European Leagues and have risen to stardom. Consequently, they have become a symbol of hope to the younger generations in South Africa and Africa in general.
In their current rise in popularity, these players hold so many expectations and are eager to make their country proud. Click on the link above for more details about the best South African players abroad.
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