It is exactly 16 years today since the 2010 FIFA World Cup got underway in South Africa. It was the first and only time that the African continent has hosted the global football showpiece.
The opening game between hosts South Africa and Mexico was played at the iconic Soccer City Stadium, ending in a one-all draw with Siphiwe Tshabalala firing Bafana Bafana ahead before Rafael Marquez got the equalizer for Mexico.
Coicidentally, as the 2026 FIFA World Cup starts today, Mexico who are co-hosts alongside Canada and the US face South Africa in the opening game.
In this article, we look at the players that started that game for South Africa and what they are up to currently.
Goalkeeper – Itumeleng Khune
After a stellar career at Kaizer Chiefs, Khune retired in 2020 and currently at the age of 38, he is a businessman in South Africa involved in construction business, he worked as an Analyst on SABC and he is also a shareholder in Top bet South Africa, working alongside Aisling O’Connor.
Right Back – Siboniso Gaxa
Populary known as Pa, Siboniso Gaxa established himself as a reliable right back playing for top sides in South Africa such as Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Ajax Cape Town. He featured 57 times for the Bafana Bafana.
Upon retiring in 2018, he focused on education and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Political Science and Social Studies from Wits University.
He has since set up his own foundation (Pa Gaxa Foundation) and served as the operations and legal manager for Brand Arc Football since 2022.
Left Back – Lucas Thwala
He started the game against Mexico but would go on to lose his slot in the games against France and Uruguay.
After the World Cup, injuries took a toll on him forcing him into retirement at the age of 33. Now 44, his current occupation is not known.
Centre Back – Aaron Mokoena (Captain)
He captained South Africa at the tournament, playing all the three group games.
Mokoena currently is engaged is different areas such as scouting, coaching and punditry. He travels across South Africa with a four-person team, identifying young talent for the national Under-15 and Under-17 squads.
He frequently provides television analysis and commentary, including World Cup coverage in Madrid for SportyTV.
Additionally, he is the assistant coach at Cape Town City and also runs the Aaron Mokoena Sports Group.
Centre Back – Bongani Khumalo
He was only 20 by the time the 2010 FIFA World Cup was played but Khumalo showed he belonged to the elite stage. He scored in the famous 2-1 win over France.
Khumalo retired in 2018 and currently works as a pundit on Super Sport. He is also a director for a manufacturing company called USP.
Holding Midfield – Kagisho Dikgacoi
At the time, he was featuring for Premier League outfit Fulham. Dikgacoi was physically impossing and great at intercepting the opponents’ moves.
Following his retirement from playing football, Dikgacoi entered the business arena alongside his business partner Tieho Benny Mokhalinyane. In 2018, his apparel company International Sports Apparel Design Institute concluded a deal with the Football Association of Malawi for the supply of kits, tracksuits, and golf shirts.
He currently works as a coach at Golden Arrows alongisde Manqoba Mngqithi.
Central Midfield – Reneilwe Letsholonyane
Commonly known as Yeye, he was a stylish midfielder, known for his confidence and flair.
Currently serves as the Head Coach of Matebele FC in the Botswana Premier League and was also the assistant coach of South Africa at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) held in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda last year.
Attacking Midfield – Siphiwe Tshabalala
He scored the opening goal of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and his name is forever etched in the history books. Since calling time on his playing career, Shabba has founded the Siphiwe Tshabalala Foundation. He is also the brand ambassador for Betway.
He recently revealed on social media that he has been studying at Harvard Business School alongside Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga.
Centre Forward – Mphela Katlego
Katlego Mphela is primarily working as a football ambassador and is involved in youth development initiatives and local community projects. He also does media and motivational work.
He had a small stint in the automobile sector in 2023 but quit after two months and returned to the football circle.
Forward – Steven Pienaar
Pienaar had a great career in the Premier League, especially with Everton and played 63 times for South Africa, scoring three goals.
He eventually retired in 2018 having played for Ajax Amsterdam, Borussia Dortmund, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and Bidvest Wits. After retiring, he began his coaching career in the lower leagues in the Netherlands, before working for Ajax’s youth team.
The 44-year old is now a coach of the U14 team of Sharjah FC in the United Arab Emirates.
Forward – Teko Modise
Nicknamed the General, Modise was a joy to watch and indeed went into the 2010 FIFA World Cup as the key players for South Africa. However, his performance was not convincing.
He retired on the national team in 2012 but carried on with club football especially at Mamelodi Sundowns before retiring in 2019 at Cape Town City.
Currently, Modise is a TV Pundit with Super Sport, serves as the ambassador od Mamelodi Sundowns and Hollywood Bets. He is also the CEO of talent management agency The Prestigious Group.
