South Africa clinched a 1-0 victory over South Korea in Group A, securing second place and their inaugural World Cup knockout berth. Thapelo Maseko struck in the 63rd minute, delivering the decisive blow that sends Bafana Bafana to a round‑of‑32 clash with Canada on Sunday. The win follows a humbling 9‑man loss to Mexico in the opener, marking a swift revival under coach Hugo Broos.

South Korea struggled to impose their 68% possession, mustering few clear chances despite early pressure. Coach Myung‑Bo Hong made the surprising decision to bench Heung‑Min Son for the first time in 13 World Cups, ending a run of twelve consecutive starts. Son entered at half‑time, logged 29 touches but failed to create a meaningful threat inside the box.

The result propels South Africa into the last‑32 as the tournament’s first African side to reach that stage, while South Korea now eyes a spot among the best third‑placed teams. Their fate hinges on the remaining group fixtures and the evolving third‑place table. Canada awaits, promising a physical showdown that will test Bafana Bafana’s defensive resilience firmly.