Grading Bafana Bafana players' overseas moves since the FIFA World Cup

South Africa returned to the FIFA World Cup in 2026 after a 16-year absence, and since their round of 32 exit at the hands of Canada, Bafana Bafana players have secured several noteworthy moves abroad.

The team had achieved third place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) -- held in early 2024 in Ivory Coast -- with only three players in their squad playing their club football outside the country.

At the 2026 World Cup, they had seven overseas-based players including Thapelo Maseko, whose loan stint at AEL Limassol from Mamelodi Sundowns was coming to an end.

Maseko is one of four players from the squad to have completed a move to a new club since Bafana's exit at the hands of Canada on June 28. Despite his stint in Cyprus, there was uncertainty over his future upon his return to Sundowns - which was ultimately resolved with a permanent move to FC Copenhagen.

Lyle Foster was already at Burnley prior to his loan move to Houston Dynamo, and Olwethu Makhanya at Philadelphia Union prior to his permanent transfer to Rangers.

Relebohile Mofokeng's move from Orlando Pirates to Belgium's Union Saint-Gilloise has been the headline-grabber, although an agreement in principle had been reached even before the World Cup. The move was completed directly after the tournament, with Mofokeng flying to Belgium.

World Cup squad moves

Relebohile Mofokeng

Orlando Pirates to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise

The pick of the bunch - Mofokeng is off to a flying start in Belgium with three goals in fiveJupiler Pro League games, as well as a Super Cup title. Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (RUSG) were not the first suitors to attempt to pry him away from Orlando Pirates, but in hindsight, his move was perfectly-timed.

Mofokeng was able to secure a Premiership title prior to moving and was belatedly named Premier Soccer League (PSL) Footballer of the Season. Just as he reached the summit of the mountain at home, he has carried his momentum over to a different league which he has proven more than ready for.

Grade: A+

Olwethu Makhanya

Philadelphia Union to Glasgow Rangers

It is hard to think of a signing who has had a more obvious impact on a team since joining in the UK summer than Makhanya at Rangers. After a dismal start to the season, they have turned their fortunes around with five successive wins in all competitions - conceding only once in the process.

Grade: A+

Thapelo Maseko

Mamelodi Sundowns to FC Copenhagen

Maseko was out of the fold at Sundowns prior to his loan move midway through last season to AEL Limassol, but hard work, a miraculous turn of fortune and the backing of Hugo Broos ensured he ended up as the scorer of the goal against South Korea which earned Bafana their first ever World Cup knockout berth.

The winger finally secured a permanent move to Copenhagen thereafter and has hit the ground running. His brace in the 5-0 win over Odense put him firmly on course to follow in the footsteps of Sibusiso Zuma in becoming a fan favourite at the club.

Grade: A+

Lyle Foster

Burnley to Houston Dynamo (loan)

Foster's move may have been one born out of necessity rather than ideal circumstances, but it was still a positive step for a striker who has shown flashes of world class potential without the consistency to fulfill it.

Foster's career to date suggests he is a confidence player, and confidence had been lost at Burnley. A new start gives him the opportunity to get back to his sharpest in front of goal.

Having only just turned 26, it is easy to forget that Foster still has time on his side as he seeks to revive his Bafana career. For reference, at 26, fellow Bafana striker Iqraam Rayners (now 30) was in the middle of a forgettable stint at SuperSport United.

Grade: B-

Other notable moves

Outside of the Bafana World Cup squad, the players who have signed for teams outside of South Africa have done so for a variety of reasons. Some came to the end of their contracts and took up opportunities that happened to come their way, while others made moves that they would have felt would ensure playing time or other benefits.

The obvious winner is Thato Sibiya - the left-back whose stock rose while playing for South Africa U20. He had only recently broken into the Mamelodi Sundowns first team, but faced competition from three senior left-backs for a starting berth.

From barely being a first-team player at Chloorkop, Sibiya now has the opportunity to break into the first team at Lille, and has renewed his contract with Sundowns -- giving him a place to return to with additional experience under his belt if a permanent move does not come to fruition.

Thato Sibiya: Mamelodi Sundowns to LOSC Lille (loan with option to buy)

Grade: A+

Shandre Campbell: Club Brugge to Kortrijk

Grade: B+

Tylon Smith: QPR to New England Revolution (loan with option to buy)

Grade: C+

Tshegofatso Mabasa: Orlando Pirates to MAS Fès

Grade: B-

Devin Titus: Stellenbosch FC to MAS Fès

Grade: A-

Neo Maema: Mamelodi Sundowns to Simba SC (loan)

Grade: C-

Fagrie Lakay: Ceramica Cleopatra to Al-Ahli Tripoli

Grade: C+

Sipho Mbule: Orlando Pirates to Zakho SC

Grade: C+

Keletso Makgalwa: Sekhukhune United to Simba SC

Grade: B-

Luke le Roux: Portsmouth to Cercle Brugge

Grade: C+

Bongani Zungu: AmaZulu to Malappuram FC

Grade: D-

Patrick 'Tito' Maswanganyi: Orlando Pirates to Al-Khaldiya

Grade: D+

Kgaogelo Sekgota: Siwelele to Petrojet

Grade: B-

Njabulo Blom: Nam Dinh FC to Borneo FC

Grade: D-