South Africa vs Rwanda live tonight: 2026 World Cup qualifier in Mbombela. Match preview, team news, kickoff time & prediction.

 

🟢 South Africa vs Rwanda: World Cup Qualifier Showdown

Published: October 14, 2025 | Updated: 18:25 IST

In a crucial Group C fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers, South Africa will host Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium tonight at 18:00 local time. This match could dramatically affect South Africa’s chances of advancing. News24+2Foot Africa+2 

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📋 Match Context & Stakes

• Competition: 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – CAF, Group C Wikipedia+2Morocco World News+2

• Date & Venue: October 14, 2025 — Mbombela Stadium, South Africa Morocco World News+2Foot Africa+2

• Kickoff (Local): 18:00 at Mbombela News24

• Time (GMT): 16:00 GMT (approximately) Foot Africa+2Morocco World News+2

South Africa enters the match needing a win to remain in contention for direct qualification. A points deduction earlier in the campaign (due to fielding an ineligible player) has put them under pressure. Foot Africa+2ESPN.com+2 Rwanda, on the other hand, is already eliminated from direct qualification hopes but can act as spoilers. Morocco World News+2inkl+2

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🧠 Tactical Preview & Team News

South Africa

• Having lost key points due to administrative sanctions, South Africa must win and hope other results go their way. Foot Africa+2ESPN.com+2

• Striker Lyle Foster is reportedly unavailable due to injury. Morocco World News

• Coach Hugo Broos will rely on backups and demand an aggressive start. Morocco World News+1

Rwanda

• With their qualification hopes dashed, Rwanda may play with freedom and aim to frustrate South Africa. inkl+1

• They beat South Africa previously in the campaign (2–0) in the first leg, showing they are capable of pull-off upsets. Foot Africa+2ESPN.com+2

Tactics to watch:

• South Africa will likely push high and attempt to dominate possession early.

• Rwanda may set a low block and counterattack, banking on transition speed and set pieces.

• Given the stakes, both teams might take risks, potentially opening the game in the second half.

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🔮 Prediction & Expectations

• Scoreline prediction: South Africa 2 – 1 Rwanda

• Likely patterns:
   • Both Teams to Score – Yes
   • Goals over 2.5 – Possible
   • South Africa win – Most likely, though not guaranteed