After a poor start to their 2026 World Cup Finals campaign South Africa head to Atlanta for their next assignment which comprises of a clash with the Czech Republic on Thursday
After the first round of Group A matches co-hosts Mexico and South Korea lead the way with 3 points each whilst Czech Republic and South Africa have still to open their accounts. A reminder the top two in the group go through to the knockout rounds and there are 8 best third place finisher positions available. Whichever team finished bottom of the quartet will be eliminated.
Czech Republic
Czech Republic came up against South Korea in Guadalajara, Mexico in their opening match which they lost 2-1. They were on the back foot for much of the contest but skipper Ladislav Krejci nodded them in front just before the hour mark. The lead lasted just 8 minutes before Korea squared things up and they conceded again on 80 minutes. The Korean keeper then made two excellent saves to deny the Czech’s an equalizer and there was no further scoring.
After appointing Miroslav Koubek as coach they came through qualifying via the play offs in Europe earlier this year and it was thrilling stuff. They first saw off Ireland on spot kicks before holding their nerve in another penalty shoot out to send Denmark out. Both those games finished 2-2.
Czech Republic are now trading at around 5/2 to finish bottom of Group A with Hollywoodbets who offer 27/20 for them to be eliminated at the group stage.
This was how the Czech’s lined up in the defeat to South Korea
Czech Republic: M. Kovar, S. Chaloupek, R. Hranac, L. Krejci, V. Coufal, T. Soucek, A. Sojka (M. Chytil 85’), J. Zeleny, L. Provod (M. Sadilek 64’), P. Sulc (A. Hlozec 64’), P. Schick (T. Chory 64’)
South Africa
Bafana were very much the underdogs for their opening match against co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City in the opening match of the tournament but the manner of their 2-0 defeat ought to have the alarm bells ringing.
They gifted Mexico a goal after just 9 minutes and were fortunate to go into half time only 1-0 down after creating next to nothing themselves. Sphephelo Sithole was red carded on 49 minutes and Mexico went 2-0 up on 67 minutes. Substitute Themba Zwane picked up what looked a very harsh red card on 84 minutes and there was still time for the referee to show another red in injury time, this time to a Mexico defender. The stats tell a tale of Mexican dominance with Bafana registering just 3 shots of which 2 long range efforts were on target without really troubling the home sides keeper. Bafana were awarded just the 1 corner and for those of you who like to take XG into account, a rating of 0.07 for Hugo Broos’s side summed the game up.
In the outright betting markets with Hollywoodbets South Africa are now trading at around 1 / 6 to be eliminated at the group stage and they are 1/3 to finish bottom of Group A.
This was how Bafana lined up in the defeat to Mexico. Note that Sithole and Zwane will miss this match through suspension after their red cards against Mexico.
South Africa: R. Williams, I. Okon, N. Sibisi, M. Mbokazi, K. Mudau, T. Mokoena, Y. Sithole, A. Modiba (O. Appollis 77’), J. Adams (T. Zwane 61’), L. Foster (T. Mbatha 56’), I. Rayners (E. Makgopa 77’)
The Betting:
Czech Republic are trading at around 15/20 to win the game with the draw priced at 24/10 and South Africa can be backed at around 36/10.
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at even money and it’s the same price for both teams to score
The Verdict:
Bafana looked really vulnerable against Mexico and huge improvement will be needed if they are to avoid defeat. These third placed finisher places will no doubt be on the radar for both these sides but It’s Czech Rep who look better equipped to bounce back from losing their opening match.
In the European qualifying play offs Czech’s games were high scoring, I fancy they might have a couple of goals in the here.
Bets: Czech Rep total goals over 1.5 at 19/20 with Hollywoodbets
Note, odds are subject to change