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- Kick Off
Attention turns to Group A at 2am (UK time) on Thursday 25 June, as South Africa take on South Korea at Estadio Monterrey in Mexico.
South Korea occupy second place in the group with three points from their opening two matches, while South Africa sit bottom with just one point to their name. With qualification for the knockout stages still up for grabs, both teams head into their final group game knowing a positive result could prove decisive.
South Korea opened their campaign with a victory over the Czech Republic before narrowly losing to group leaders Mexico, leaving them well placed to advance. South Africa, meanwhile, recovered from an opening defeat to Mexico to earn a valuable draw against the Czech Republic, keeping their hopes of progression alive heading into this crucial encounter.
Read on for our South Africa vs South Korea predictions, best bets and betting tips.
South Africa vs South Korea Predictions & Betting Tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Both teams to receive 2+ cards | 7/4 @ bet365 (42.1%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | With so much at stake, things could get feisty in Mexico, making cards an appealing angle. South Africa have already shown a tendency to pick up bookings, receiving two red cards and two yellows against Mexico before collecting another two bookings in their draw with the Czech Republic. South Korea, meanwhile, were shown two yellow cards in their defeat to Mexico last time out. |
| Son Heung-min to score | 11/8 @ bet365 (36.4%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Son Heung-min has scored 56 goals for South Korea, just two behind Cha Bum-kun (58) in the country’s all-time charts. Son has been lively with six shots so far, albeit a tad wasteful. He now has an ideal opportunity to finally score this tournament in this all-important Group A clash. |
Odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
How both teams go into South Africa vs South Korea
South Korea
South Korea opened their campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Czech Republic, with Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu finding the back of the net. However, they were unable to build on that result, falling to a 1-0 defeat to Mexico in their second group match.
That result confirmed Mexico as Group A winners and secured the co-hosts their place in the last-32, but the race for second spot remains open. South Korea currently occupy that prized position on three points, two clear of both Czech Republic in third and South Africa in fourth.
The task for South Korea is straightforward: avoid defeat against South Africa and they will qualify for the knockout stage as group runners-up. The Taegeuk Warriors could still finish third if they lose – and potentially progress as one of the best third-placed teams – but only if Czech Republic fail to beat winners Mexico, then they will be left waiting on results from other groups.
READ: Group A Permutations
South Africa
As for South Africa, they have never progressed out of the group stages and head into this must-win game winless in seven since December. A victory over South Korea would see them finish second in Group A, but only if the Czech Republic fail to beat Mexico.
If both South Africa and Czech Republic do win their final games they will both be on four points and it will come down to goal difference as to who finishes second.
A draw is unlikely to be enough for South Africa in the best third place finishers table, as it would mean they have only two points to their name.
South Africa team news
South Africa will be without Themba Zwane who is still suspended following his red card for a slap in the opening defeat to Mexico. Similarly, Teboho Mokoena is suspended after he received his second yellow card of the tournament in the draw against Czech Republic.
But, Sphephelo Sithole, who was also sent-off in the Mexico game, has served his suspension and will now be available for selection for Bafana Bafana.
South Korea team news
South Korea are unlikely to make many, if any, changes from their narrow 1-0 defeat to Mexico.
Skipper Son Heung-min (56 goals), who is two goals behind the country’s all-time scorer Cha Bum-kun (58), will be determined to get his name on the scoresheet for the first time this tournament after failing to score from any of his six shots to date.
Head-to-head
This will be the first ever meeting between South Africa and South Korea, who have never met in either a competitive match or international friendly.
Who will progress through to the last-32?
As discussed, Mexico have sewn up Group A, leaving the second automatic spot up for grabs, while third could also secure passage into the last-32.
South Korea are in the ascendancy with three points. They showed character and resilience to come back against the Czech Republic in their opening game and had more of the ball (57%) and more shots (nine) in their slender defeat to co-hosts Mexico.
The Taegeuk Warriors should edge a South African side who have yet to pick up a single win in 2026. We’re backing Son Heung-min to come alive at 11/8 with bet365 to score in Mexico.
We’re also backing both teams to receive 2+ cards at 7/4 with bet365. South Africa had two players sent off and two others booked in their defeat to Mexico, and had a further two yellows in the draw against the Czech Republic, while South Korea also received two yellows last time out against Mexico.
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