Goalkeepers:
Hans Vonk
Club: SC Heerenveen, Netherlands
Age: 28
Caps:5
Goals: 0
Bio: Born in South Africa but raised in the Netherlands. The giant goalkeeper impressed in the World Cup.
Brian Baloyi
Club: Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa
Age: 24
Caps: 8
Goals: 0
Bio: Outstanding performer at the African Nations Cup finals in Burkina Faso in February but still some question marks over his consistency. Did not earn a cap in the World Cup.
Simon Gopane
Club: Bloemfontein Celtic, South Africa
Age: 27
Caps: 1
Goals: 0
Bio: At only 1.62m Gopane must be a contender for the shortest goalkeeper in the competition. Impressed in his African Nations Cup debut against Namibia. Called up to the squad after the first match following an injury to the Andre Arendse replacement, Paul Evans. Did not earn a cap in the World Cup.
Defenders:
Mark Fish
Club: Bolton Wanderers, England
Age: 24
Caps: 42
Goals: 2
Played in a World XI against Brazil two years ago and has won several other accolades in his short playing career. Hoped for a successful World Cup to make up for a disappointing first season in the English premier league with relegated Bolton Wanderers.
 Pierre Issa
Club: Marseille, France
Age: 22
Caps: 4
Goals: 0
Bio: Multi-national defender who had just returned from knee injury. Born in Johannesburg of Lebanese parents and has lived in France since the age of four. Impressed in the World Cup despite scoring one (some would say two) own goals.
Willem Jackson
Club: Orlando Pirates, South Africa
Age: 26
Caps: 16
Goals: 0
Bio: Emerged late last year as a regular in defence after a brilliant debut in a friendly international against France. Had a disappointing performance in the World Cup
Themba Mnguni
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa
Age: 24
Caps: 6
Goals: 0
Bio: Made his debut in the African Nations Cup finals after a season which has seen his Pretoria-based club on course for the domestic league and cup double.
David Nyathi
Club: St Gallen, Switzerland
Age: 29
Caps: 40
Goals: 1
Bio: Devastating full-back, whose all-round ability was a feature in South Africa's World Cup campaign. Set to move to Serie A next season from his modest Swiss club.
Lucas Radebe
Club: Leeds United, England
Age: 29
Caps: 46
Goals: 0
Bio: South Africa's captain and one of Africa's top exports to Europe. Was used recently in midfield by his country but returned to the heart of the defence for the World Cup.
Midfielders:
Quinton Fortune
Club: Atletico Madrid, Spain
Age: 21
Caps: 11
Goals: 0
Bio: Youngest-ever player to be capped by South Africa and expected to be a star of the future. Can play in any position on the left side.
Brendan Augustine
Club: LASK Linz, Austria
Age: 26
Caps: 30
Goals: 4
Bio: Hard-working striker who is also often used as a midfielder in the national team. Has had a mediocre club season in Austria. Dismissed from team on June 22 for discliplinary reasons.
Doctor Khumalo
Club: Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa
Age: 30 (31 on June 26)
Caps: 45
Goals: 9
Bio: Mercurial midfielder who is a potential match-winner with his incredible skill and guile. But there is much debate over whether the team can afford to carry him if he is not on song. Came on for a few minutes in South Africa's last game of the World Cup.
Helman Mkhalele
Club: Kayerispor, Turkey
Age: 28
Caps: 40
Goals: 7
Bio: Wide player who likes to run at opposing defenders. Scored vital goals in the World Cup qualifying campaign to secure South Africa's first ever place in the finals.
John Moshoeu
Club: Fenerbahce, Turkey
Age: 32
Caps: 49
Goals: 6
Bio: Key player in South Africa's World Cup campaign. Incredibly talented player who has been a major figure up front for the last three years. Recently moved to the Turkish league leaders for a South African record transfer fee of $2.4-million. Nicknamed "Shoes".
Naughty Mokoena
Club: Manning Rangers, South Africa
Age: 23
Caps: 0
Goals: 0
Bio: Has come through South Africa's junior national teams but is also a surprise inclusion by Troussier despite a mediocre season in South Africa. Earned a place in the squad as a midfield reserve player. Dismissed from team on June 22 for discliplinary reasons.
 Alfred Phiri
Club: Vanspor, Turkey
Age: 23 (24 on June 22)
Caps: 2
Goals: 0
Bio: Made his debut against Zambia last month, a surprise inclusion in the squad. Spotted by the coach when he went to watch other players in Turkey last March and played only six league games in South Africa before moving to Turkey at the start of the season. Was handed a 3-match ban following his red card in the Denmark match.
Delron Buckley
Club: VfL Bochum, Germany
Age: 20
Caps: 4
Goals: 0
Bio: A former captain of the under-20 side and has also played for the under-23s. Recently recovered from a long-term injury which had kept him out of the reckoning for a place in the senior squad. Impressed in his few appearances in the World Cup.
Lebogang Morula
Club: Vanspor, Turkey
Age: 29
Caps: 0
Goals: 0
Bio: Average league player in South Africa for Jomo Cosmos who also spent a season playing in Colombia. Did not earn a cap in the World Cup.
Forwards:
Phil Masinga
Club: Bari, Italy
Age: 28 (29 on June 28)
Caps: 45
Goals: 14
Bio: All-time leading goalscorer for South Africa. Has scored winning goals for his club against both AC Milan and Inter Milan in Serie A this season. Also a former Leeds United player. Out with ankle injury.
Benedict McCarthy
Club: Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands
Age: 20
Caps: 15
Goals: 8
Bio: New hero of South African soccer after his seven-goal spree at the African Nations Cup finals in Burkina Faso. Was named as the best player at the tournament in February. Scored a crucial equaliser in the 18th June encounter against Denmark.
Shaun Bartlett
Club: Cape Town Spurs, South Africa
Age: 24
Caps: 29
Goals: 10
Bio: A regular in Clive Barker's side who has played for Colorado Rapids and MetroStars in the USA. Has been in great goal-scoring form this season for his home club. Scored both goals against Saudi Arabia in the World Cup.
Jerry Sikhosana
Club: Orlando Pirates, South Africa
Age: 29
Caps: 9
Goals: 0
Bio: Recalled by Troussier after being left out of Jomo Sono's African Nations Cup side. A tricky striker with great dribbling skill and a ferocious shot. He is also a temperemental character who fights for success. Nicknamed "Legs of Thunder". Came on for a few minutes in South Africa's last game of the World Cup. |
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