Are you 24 or older?

Help us verify your age by providing an honest response. This site contains gambling advertising for 24+.

Age-restricted content

You’re not old enough to view betting content. You’ll be redirected to the homepage.

alt
LiveTickets
+18 | Commercial Content | T&C's Apply | Play Responsibly | Publishing Principles
Explore Betting on GOAL
South Africa Training And Press Conference - FIFA World Cup 2026Getty Images Sport
Sinolwetu Tompela

Hugo Broos expects a relentless South Korea test for Bafana Bafana - 'They are like Duracells'

South Africa
World Cup
H. Broos
Czechia vs South Africa
Czechia
South Africa vs Republic of Korea
Republic of Korea
T. Maseko
O. Appollis

South Africa's head coach has issued a stern warning to his players ahead of their do-or-die World Cup clash against the Asian side. Following a resilient draw with Czechia, the Belgian mentor believes his side must prepare for a level of physical intensity unlike anything they have faced so far in the tournament.

  • Navigating final group stage clash

    South Africa have now turned their attention to their final group-stage encounter, a high-stakes clash in which they must secure a positive result to keep their 2026 FIFA World Cup dream alive.

    While the draw against Czechia was built on physicality and resilience, Hugo Broos expects an entirely different test when Bafana Bafana take on South Korea.

    The Belgian tactician was quick to highlight the Asian side's remarkable stamina and relentless work rate, drawing a unique comparison as he described their seemingly endless energy on the pitch.




    • Advertisement
  • Hugo Broos Bafana BafanaGetty

    The 'Duracell' threat

    "I'm very sorry to say this, but they are like Duracells: you plug them in, and they start running, and they run for 90 minutes, so it will not be easy," Broos said as per KickOff.

    "Yes, South Korea is a little bit in between Mexico and Czechia: it’s a very disciplined team.

    "This is a characteristic of the Eastern teams; they are always disciplined, you saw that in their game against Czechia.

    "They also have a good players, a few key players in the team."


  • Czechia v South Africa: Group A - FIFA World Cup 2026Getty Images Sport

    Discipline vs Physicality in Group A

    Broos knows that his side cannot afford another slow start if they are to overcome such a well-drilled and tactically sound opponent.

    "So again, it will be a tough game, but in another way," he added.

    "Today [Thursday] it was a tough game because of the physicality of Czechia; against South Korea, it will be more about the discipline in the group.

    "Also, the physical in the sense that they run."

    The coach is clearly wary of the tactical discipline that has become a hallmark of South Korean football on the global stage.


    • ENJOYED THIS STORY?

    Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

    Add as preferred source on Google
  • Czechia v South Africa: Group A - FIFA World Cup 2026Getty Images Sport

    All eyes on the knockout dream

    After the tactical nightmare of the first game, the squad appears to have found its footing, but the physical demands of facing a side that refuses to stop running will test their endurance to the limit.

    With stars like Oswin Appollis and Thapelo Maseko finding their rhythm, Bafana fans are hopeful that the 'brave on the ball' philosophy Broos called for will be enough to dismantle the Korean engine.

    Everything now rests on 90 minutes of high-stakes football, with South Africa's global tournament dream very much alive.