South Africa and South Korea meet in the third and final round of Group A games, with both sides having a chance to progress to the knockout rounds.
Bafana Bafana, who lost the World Cup opener to co-hosts Mexico before drawing 1-1 with Czech Republic, need to win if they are to go through in second place.
Korea are in the stronger position despite also losing to Mexico after beating the Czechs 2-1 in their first game. A victory would see them sail through to the last 32 of the tournament.
South Africa will have been buoyed by their late leveller against the Czechs, but getting the better of the Taegeuk Warriors in Guadalupe will be a tough task.
South Africa v South Korea Tips Summary
Best Bet - South Korea to win @ 3/5
Alternative Bet - Son Heung-min anytime goalscorer @ 13/10
Bet Builder - Under 2.5 goals, Lee Kang-in to record two shots & Aubrey Modiba to commit 2+ fouls @ 9/2
South Africa v South Korea Prediction
Best Bet: South Korea to win @ 3/5
South Korea got off to a strong start in Group A with a hard-fought win over the Czech Republic before coming up against a Mexico side playing on home soil.
Hong Myung-Bo's men were a match for the hosts but lost 1-0 after goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu came for a ball in the box but dropped it at the feet of Luis Romo who fired home.
While Korea cannot afford any other mishaps, they should be more in control against a South Africa side who lack the attacking threat Mexico possesses.
Hugo Broos' team have not won since December, drawing three and losing four of their seven games in 2026.
South Korea, on the other hand, have won six of their last nine matches and are favourites to win and progress to the knockout stages.
The Taegeuk Warriors have lost two games on the bounce just once since the summer of 2023 and should return to winning ways to secure their spot in the last 32.
Alternative Bet: Son Heung-min anytime goalscorer @ 13/10
Son Heung-min is yet to get off the mark at the World Cup, but it's not through a lack of trying after the forward recorded six shots in South Korea's opening game.
The former Tottenham icon, who now plays his club football for Los Angeles FC in the MLS, is his nation's talisman and will aim to strike fear into the South Africa defence with his direct running, trickery and shooting prowess.
Son has 56 goals in 146 appearances for South Korea, netting twice against in May's 5-0 friendly win over Trinidad & Tobago.
The forward was kept at bay against Mexico on Friday, failing to get a strike on target, but will hope to record his first goal in the group stage to help his country progress.
South Africa have kept just one clean sheet in 11 matches and so Son should find opportunities to get his name on the scoresheet.
South Africa v South Korea Bet Builder Tip
Under 2.5 goals
Lee Kang-in to record two shots
Aubrey Modiba to commit 2+ fouls
Pays @ 9/2
While South Korea are the favourites to beat South Africa, it's unlikely to be a high-scoring game if recent form is anything to go by.
Six of the last nine matches involving the Taegeuk Warriors have featured two goals or fewer, while only one of the last six South Africa games have seen as many as three goals.
Korea playmaker Lee Kang-in has taken aim in both of their group games, hitting two shots against Mexico, and will look to test South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who has conceded three goals in the tournament.
Bafana Bafana left-back Aubrey Modiba will have to deal with South Korea's fast attacking wing play and could be caught out in the tackle.
The defender has committed three fouls in the group stage and may be given the run around in Guadalupe.
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Key Match Stats
The Group A encounter will be the first time South Africa have faced South Korea
South Africa have scored just three goals in their last five matches
South Korea have appeared at every World Cup since 1986, reaching the semis in 2002
Bafana Bafana are aiming to reach the knockout stages for the first time in history
The last six games in which South Korea have scored, the team has gone on to win
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
