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Ian Williams takes up the task of finding matchups in any sport between South Africa and South Korea. He found three matches in hockey of the field variety, all draws. Back in men’s soccer, they met in the 1997 U-20 World Cup – also a draw. Finally, in 2019, South Korea took a 1-0 win over South Africa in the 2017 U-20 World Cup. That Korean team reached the final before falling to Ukraine.

Team XIs: Son benched

SOUTH AFRICA

Williams; Modiba, Mbokazi, Okon, Mudau; Sithole, Mbatha, Mofokeng; Appollis, Makgopa, Maseko

Relebohile Mofokeng and Evidence Makgopa replace Jayden Adams and Igraam Rayners, both of whom had started both games so far. The big change, though, is that Sphephelo Sithole returns after a one-match ban to replace Teboho Mokoena, who has South Africa’s only goal in this World Cup and was hailed as Bafana Bafana’s “glue player” in our team guide (see below). Mokoena is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Themba Zwane received a three-match ban after seeing red in the opener.

All but seven South African players are in their country’s domestic league. Sithole (Tondela, Portugal) is one exception. Young players Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago) and Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia) play in Major League Soccer. Kyle Foster (Burnley) is the only player who spent last season in one of the glitzier European leagues.

SOUTH KOREA

Kim Seung-gyu; Lee Gi-hyuk, Kim Min-jae, Lee Han-boem; Seol Young-woo, Paik Seung-ho, Hwang In-beom, Kim Moon-hwan; Lee Jae-sung, Son Heung-min, Lee Kang-in

Lee Kang-in is the only holdover from the frontline that started the first two games. Hwang Hee-chan and Oh Hyeon-gyu start in place of Lee Jae-sung and … Son Heung-min? The man who spent a dazzling decade at Tottenham Hotspur and now plays with Los Angeles FC is available on the bench.

Our team guide notes some consternation over Hong Myung-bo’s switching from the safety of a back four to a more daring 3-4-3. Hong was in charge of South Korea’s winless 2014 campaign and returned to the job when former U.S. coach Jürgen Klinsmann was dismissed. (He also played a bit, I hear.)

As a child of the 70s, I’m slightly baffled that the John Denver classic Take Me Home Country Roads has become the unofficial theme song of this World Cup. I’m guessing very few of the people singing along have been to “the place I belong, West Virginia.”

It’s beautiful, though.

One team in the 48-team field chose a site in West Virginia for their training base. Can you name that team?

Preamble

South Africa have never advanced past the group stage of the World Cup.

Ever.

They were banned for decades and qualified for the final tournament for the first time in 2018, taking two draws and a loss. They picked up their first win in 2002 but agonizingly missed advancing on the goals-scored tiebreaker.

The only other time Bafana Bafana have qualified for the big dance was when they hosted in 2010, where they took a sensational win over France in their final group-stage game but missed the knockout rounds on goal difference.

South Korea have also hosted the World Cup in this century, and they made the most of it. In four previous appearances, they had not managed a win. In 2002, they won three games and reached the semifinals. They’ve qualified for every final tournament since then and reached the knockout rounds twice.

This is the first matchup between these two countries in the men’s World Cup. I’m actually trying to see if they’ve ever played each other in anything.

To follow the concurrent game in the group, please join Alex Abnos at the link below:

Beau will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s what everyone needs in the group:

Mexico are through as group winners and will face a third-placed team from Group C, E, F, H or I. South Korea could match their points total but Mexico beat them so would be top on head-to-head.

South Korea would guarantee qualification with a win or draw against South Africa.

Czechia would progress in second if they beat Mexico, South Africa beat South Korea and they ultimately finish above South Africa. Should they win and finish third they may have a route.

South Africa progress in second if they beat South Korea and ultimately finish above Czechia. Should they win and finish third they may have a route.

You can read all the World Cup permutations here:

Updated