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

* Odds from Betway, correct at time of writing.

South Africa welcome South Korea to Estadio BBVA in Monterrey for their final Group A fixture, with kickoff at 03:00 CAT on Thursday. Bafana Bafana know the equation is simple: win and they reach the round of 32, while a draw or defeat sends them home. South Korea arrive likely needing only a point to progress, so this shapes up as a tense, high stakes night. For all our World Cup betting tips, head to our dedicated section.

South Africa

South Africa have scored only once in two matches and now lose their most influential midfielder, with Teboho Mokoena suspended after collecting a second booking. In my opinion that forces Hugo Broos into a midfield reshuffle and blunts both their press and their set piece threat on the night they most need a win. Bafana must be braver than they have looked so far and commit bodies forward against a Korean side happy to sit deep. My read on this is that they will create openings but may lack the finishing to take all three points.

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

South Korea

South Korea sit second on three points and while a win will guarantee that they advance, a draw will likely be enough as well, which suits the controlled way Hong Myung-bo likes his team to play. Son Heung-min remains the danger man and his movement off the likes of Oh Hyeon-gyu gives them a clear route to goal on the counter. I expect them to soak up pressure, stay compact through Kim Min-jae and Hwang In-beom, and pick their moments to break. They have no fresh injury or suspension worries, so Hong can name his strongest side.

Predicted 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 throw everything at this and should find a goal, but their defensive frailty against pace worries me with Son leading the Korean breaks. I expect the visitors to take the lead, ride out a spell of pressure, and add a second on the counter as Bafana chase the game. My forecast: South Africa 1 South Korea 2.

BTTS: Yes (2.01)

I am backing both teams to score, and my read on this is that South Africa have to gamble on attack to keep their World Cup alive. That open approach should hand Son Heung-min and Oh Hyeon-gyu the space they want on the counter, while Bafana have enough through Mofokeng and others to register at least once. At 2.01 the value sits with goals at both ends.