FIFA World Cup: Five key points for Bafana Bafana ahead of South Korea showdown

Bafana Bafana know that nothing less than a victory will help them stand a chance to progress to the next round and will have to be wary of a number of aspects in order to achieve a positive result.

Avoid slow start

Bafana Bafana need to avoid their recent habit of having a tentative start to each half of their previous two World Cup matches against Mexico and Czechia, resulting in them falling behind in under the opening ten minutes.

The South African team cannot afford to chase the game again, as that will leave them vulnerable to the potent South Korean counter-attack.

Bafana have to score

Hugo Broos' side have only scored one goal in the tournament via the penalty spot against Czechia and know that they will have to do more in order to breach the disciplined Korea structure.

The team needs to avoid panic when approaching the final third, which has often seen them resort to speculative long-range attempts in recent matches.

Which striker will start?

Hugo Broos has started two different strikers [Lyle Foster and Iqraam Rayners] in the opening matches against Mexico and Czech Republic, with both failing to make the desired impact upfront.

However, Evidence Makgopa had an impressive display after coming on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw against the Czech and would be fancied to start by many, but Broos may choose to keep him as a different attacking option on the bench.

Set-piece improvement

Bafana Bafana have been generally wasteful with their attacking set-play attempts and will need to find a way to overcome a slightly taller South Korea outfit aerially.

Direct free-kicks and corners could very well make the difference in this match against the two teams who generally prefer to keep the ball on the ground when in possession.

Conceding set-pieces in dangerous areas could also be costly with renown free-kick specialists Son Heung-Min, Lee Kang-In and Hwang In-Beom ready to capitalize.

Teboho Mokoena replacement

South Africa have to make do without their most experienced suspended midfield duo of Themba Zwane and Teboho Mokoena, but with Mshishi having already missed the Czechia match due to suspension.

Sphephelo Sithole returns from serving his one game suspension and will likely be thrust into the starting line-up as the most experienced available midfielder in the squad with only 29 caps.

Hugo Broos may also choose to stick with Jayden Adams, Thalente Mbatha pairing and hope the duo rises to the occasion along with gamechanger Relebohile Mofokeng who is expected to start.