Bafana Bafana 2010 squad set for nostalgic Mexico reunion match
The 2010 Bafana Bafana World Cup squad will head to Mexico on Wednesday evening for an historic exhibition rematch against the players who took part in the opening game of the tournament in South Africa.
The match will be played on Sunday as part of a wider sports and cultural exchange programme between South Africa and Mexico.
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie said the initiative is aimed at celebrating football history while strengthening international ties through sport.
"This is more than a match. It is a celebration of our football heritage and a reminder of what we achieved in 2010 as a nation."
The department said the squad features some of South Africa’s most iconic football figures, returning to represent the country in an ambassadorial role.
"The squad, which includes some of football’s iconic names of our times, will once more represent our country as ambassadors of football, sport in general and our rich cultural heritage," it said.
The fixture revives memories of South Africa’s historic role as host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the first ever staged on African soil.
That tournament remains one of the most defining moments in the country’s sporting history, with the opening match between South Africa and Mexico ending in a 1–1 draw at Soccer City.
Beyond the match itself, the team will take part in cultural and youth development programmes in Hidalgo to promote sports diplomacy and grassroots football development.
"These engagements form part of a broader effort to use football as a bridge between cultures and communities," the department added.
Pachuca, the host city, is also significant in global football terms as the home of C.F. Pachuca, one of the oldest professional football clubs in the Americas, founded in 1901.
The city will also serve as a base camp for the current Bafana Bafana squad during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, linking the legacy of 2010 with South Africa’s current international ambitions.
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