Overview:
Mexico and South Africa have faced each other four times in international fixtures, with Mexico leading the head-to-head clashes 2-1-1, including a 4-0 victory in their first meeting in 1993 and a 1-1 draw in the iconic 2010 World Cup opener.
Mexico and South Africa open the 2026 Fifa World Cup on Thursday June 11, exactly sixteen years since the match opened the 2010 edition.
Ahead of the highly anticipated match, Kawowo Sports digs deep and brings you the previous meetings.
El-Tri and Bafana Bafana have faced each other just four times on the international stage spanning both competitive and friendly fixtures.
Mexico leads the head-to-head clashes with two wins against Bafana Bafana’s one with the other ending in a stalemate.
First Meeting: Mexico 4-0 South Africa | International Friendly 1993
In October 1993, the two nations faced off for the first time with Mexico winning 4-0 in Los Angeles.
Benjamin Galindo grabbed the headlines for scoring a brace in the game.
Second Meeting: Mexico 4-2 South Africa | 2000
Mexico and South Africa competed at the US Nike Cup, a friendly four-team tournament along with the United States and Republic of Ireland.
The CONCACAF nation won 4-2 thanks to two goals from Horacio Sanchez, but USA ultimately came out on top in the round-robin format.
Third Meeting: Mexico 1-2 South Africa | 2005
Bafana Bafana recorded their first and only victory against Mexico in July 2005 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup where they were the guest team.
Philip Evans and Elrio Van Heerden were both on target as Bafana Bafana secured a surprise 2-1 victory over El Tri.
Fourth Meeting: South Africa 1-1 Mexico | 2010
The most iconic clash between these two nations came at the 2010 World Cup, held in South Africa.
Siphiwe Tshabalala’s stunning opener for the hosts was cancelled out by Mexico defender Rafa Marquez 12 minutes from time as the nations drew 1-1.
Summary of previous meetings
- Jun 11, 2010: South Africa 1-1 Mexico (World Cup)
- Jul 08, 2005: South Africa 2-1 Mexico (CONCACAF Gold Cup)
- Jun 07, 2000: Mexico 4-2 South Africa (US Nike Cup)
- Oct 06, 1993: Mexico 4-0 South Africa (Friendly)
How to watch
All 104 matches will be live on DStv on four dedicated FIFA World Cup Channels in multiple languages. The Channels are FIFA World Cup Central (Channel 222), FIFA World Cup Extra (Channel 223), FIFA World Cup Pass (Channel 225), and FIFA World Cup Swahili (Channel 224).
