South Africa kept their hopes alive in Group A after battling back to secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic. The result means qualification will now be decided in the final round of group-stage fixtures.

The match could hardly have started worse for Hugo Broos' side. A series of defensive lapses inside the opening minutes allowed the Europeans to take an early lead. In the sixth minute, South Africa failed to deal with a long throw-in, left space for a dangerous delivery into the box and were unable to prevent Michal Sadílek from firing home from close range after clever involvement from Václav Sojka.

For much of the first half, Bafana Bafana looked disjointed and struggled to impose any structure on the game. Individual actions outweighed collective organisation, and it seemed only a matter of time before the experienced Czech Republic side tightened its grip on the contest.

However, the Europeans became increasingly focused on protecting their advantage and willingly surrendered possession. That decision breathed life into South Africa, whose energy, determination and relentless pressing gradually shifted the momentum.

As the game wore on, the Czech side retreated deeper and deeper towards their own penalty area. The pressure eventually told. After an incisive run from Maseko on the edge of the box, the ball struck the arm of the recovering Schulz, leaving referee Tori Penso with little hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.

Teboho Mokoena stepped up and showed remarkable composure, sending Matěj Kovář the wrong way to level the score and help his team get their first point at the World Cup.

World Cup 2026

Czech Republic - RSA 1:1 (1:0)
Goals: Sadilek M., 6 (1:0); Mokoena, 83 (penalty) (1:1)

Czech Republic: Kovar M.; Coufal; Hranáč; Holeš; Sadilek M. (Soucek, 66); Krejčí L. II.; Darida (Šulc P., 54); Červ L. (Zima D., 78); Sojka (Zeleny, 54); Hložek (Provod, 66); Schick
Substitution: Zeleny (from 54); Šulc P. (from 54); Provod (from 66); Soucek (from 66); Zima D. (from 78)
Bench: Stanek; Hornicek; Jurasek D.; Chaloupek; Douděra; Sochůrek; Chytil; Visinsky; Kuchta J.; Chorý
Yellow Cards: Krejčí L. II. 75

RSA: Williams Ro.; Mudau; Mbokazi; Okon; Modiba; Mokoena; Mbatha; Maseko (Sebelebele, 84); Appollis; Adams J. (Mofokeng, 46); Rayners (Makgopa, 65)
Substitution: Mofokeng (from 46); Makgopa (from 65); Sebelebele (from 84)
Bench: Chaine; Goss; Matuludi; Ndamane; Sibisi; Makhanya; Kabini; Cross; Sithole; Moremi; Zwane; Foster L.
Yellow Cards: Mokoena 33; Mbatha 40