They finished that match with just nine players on the pitch after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off, dealing a damning blow to their chances of progressing to the knockout rounds.
Bafana Bafana failed to lay a glove on Mexico at any point of the match, and Hugo Broos has his work cut out for him if he is to get the side on song.
This match will be a must-win for both sides, as to head into the third group-stage matchday pointless would make progression an effective impossibility.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Czechia vs South Africa is scheduled for a 5pm BST kick-off today, Thursday, June 17, 2026.
The match will take place at the Atlanta Stadium in Georgia.
Where to watch Czechia vs South Africa for FREE
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on BBC One, with coverage starting at 4.30pm BST ahead of a 5pm kick-off.
Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online via BBC iPlayer.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Free highlights: World Cup highlights are available on FIFA’s official YouTube channel, along with BBC iPlayer.
Czechia vs South Africa team news
Czechia come into this match with one injury worry, as Jan Kuchta deals with an ankle problem. The striker played no part against South Korea last time out, though, and Patrik Schick should fully expect to keep his place.
Rotation could come in the back line after South Korea’s late comeback, with the likes of David Doudera and David Jurasek both in line for a chance to impress.
Goalkeepers: Lukas Hornicek, Matej Kovar, Jindrich Stanek
Defenders: Vladimir Coufal, David Doudera, Tomas Holes, Robin Hranac, Stepan Chaloupek, David Jurasek, Ladislav Krejci, Jaroslav Zeleny, David Zima
Midfielders: Lukas Cerv, Vladimir Darida, Lukas Provod, Michal Sadilek, Hugo Sochurek, Alexandr Sojka, Tomas Soucek, Pavel Sulc, Denis Visinsky
Forwards: Adam Hlozek, Tomas Chory, Mojmir Chytil, Jan Kuchta, Patrik Schick
Czechia may opt to rotate defensively after day one defeat
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Hugo Broos will not be able to call upon either of Sithole or Zwane after they were both sent for early showers at the Azteca, leaving considerable holes in midfield.
Sithole is generally a nailed-on starter and will need replacing, though second-string Zwane is less of a miss. Opportunities could come for Thalente Mbatha, who came off the bench against Mexico.
In one slight positive, Broos has no known injuries to consider.
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine
Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane, Olwethu Makhanya, Bradley Cross, Thabang Matuludi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Ime Okon, Samukele Kabini, Mbekezeli Mbokazi
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams, Thalente Mbatha, Sphephelo Sithole
Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Relebohile Mofokeng, Lyle Foster, Iqraam Rayners, Themba Zwane, Thapelo Maseko
Dismissed: Sphephelo Sithole
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Czechia vs South Africa prediction
South Africa’s performance at the Estadio Azteca was perhaps among the most forgettable of matchday one. A 2-0 defeat complete with two red cards – there were few positives to take, if any.
Czechia, meanwhile, faced what was arguably a stiffer opponent in South Korea and more than held their own, save for the obvious late capitulation.
Start well and impose themselves, this stricken South Africa should not be too difficult for Czechia to sweep aside. We expect them to chalk up their first three points of the summer.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
These two nations have met exactly once, playing out a 2-2 draw during the 1997 Confederations Cup. The Liverpool cult hero Vladimir Smicer scored both goals for the Czech Republic.
Czechia vs South Africa match odds
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