South Africa vs South Korea Tips, Odds & Prediction for World Cup 2026

* Odds supplied by Betway and accurate when this preview was written.

Bafana Bafana host South Korea at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey in their last Group A match, and kickoff is at 03:00 CAT on Thursday. The maths is easy for South Africa: a win takes them into the round of 32, and anything less means they go home. South Korea will probably only need a draw to go through, so expect a nervy night with a lot at stake. Every one of our World Cup betting tips sits in its own dedicated section.

South Africa

South Africa have found the net just once in two games, and now they are without their key midfielder, as Teboho Mokoena is banned after picking up a second yellow card. I think that forces Hugo Broos to rejig his midfield and takes some sting out of their pressing and their threat from set pieces, exactly when they need a win most. Bafana have to be bolder than they have been so far and get more players forward against a Korean team that is happy to defend deep. As I see it, they will make chances but might not have the finishing to win the game.

Expected Lineup: Williams; Mudau, Okon, Mbokazi, Modiba; Adams, Mofokeng; Maseko, Mbatha, Appollis; Rayners.

South Korea

South Korea are second on three points, and although a win makes sure they go through, a draw should probably do the job too, which fits the patient style Hong Myung-bo wants from his team. Son Heung-min is still the main threat, and his runs off players like Oh Hyeon-gyu give them an obvious path to goal on the break. I think they will absorb pressure, stay tight through Kim Min-jae and Hwang In-beom, and choose their moments to counter. There are no new injury or suspension problems, so Hong can pick his best team.

Expected Lineup: Kim Seung-gyu; Lee Gi-Hyuk, Kim Min-jae, Lee Han-beom; Kim Moon-Hwan, Hwang In-beom, Paik Seung-ho, Seol Young-woo; Lee Jae-sung, Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in.

South Africa will go all out here and should score, but I am worried about how they cope with pace at the back when Son is leading Korea's counters. I think the visitors will go in front, survive a period of pressure and then grab a second on the break as Bafana push for an equaliser. My forecast: South Africa 1 South Korea 2.

BTTS: Yes (2.01)

My pick is both teams to score, because South Africa must take risks going forward to keep their World Cup hopes alive. Playing that open should give Son Heung-min and Oh Hyeon-gyu the room they like on the counter, and Bafana have enough through Mofokeng and company to score at least once. At 2.01 the value lies in goals at both ends.