Mamelodi Sundowns’ influence on Bafana Bafana remains impossible to ignore.
Newly appointed national team coach Pitso Mosimane has named his first preliminary squad since returning to the Bafana Bafana hot seat, and the reigning African champions are once again heavily represented.
The preliminary selection features a strong group of Sundowns players, underlining the club’s importance to the national team setup as Mosimane begins preparing Bafana for the next chapter.
Mosimane has named a 35-player preliminary squad ahead of South Africa’s upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The coach has largely retained the core of the team that featured under Hugo Broos, while also introducing a number of new and returning faces.
Sundowns provide the backbone
The Sundowns contingent is led by captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who remains one of the most established figures in the national team.
He is joined by fellow goalkeeper Ricardo Goss, giving Mosimane two experienced options between the posts.
In defence, the Brazilians have a strong presence through Aubrey Modiba, Fawaaz Basadien, Khulumani Ndamane and Thapelo Morena.
The midfield department also contains familiar Sundowns names, with Teboho Mokoena and Bathusi Aubaas included.
Further forward, Mosimane has selected Iqraam Rayners, Tashreeq Matthews, Themba Zwane and Cassius Mailula, giving the coach plenty of attacking and creative options.
The full Sundowns group listed in the preliminary squad is:
- Ronwen Williams
- Ricardo Goss
- Aubrey Modiba
- Fawaaz Basadien
- Khulumani Ndamane
- Thapelo Morena
- Teboho Mokoena
- Bathusi Aubaas
- Iqraam Rayners
- Tashreeq Matthews
- Themba Zwane
- Cassius Mailula
Why Sundowns’ influence matters
Sundowns’ representation is hardly surprising given the club’s dominance in South African football and its experience at continental level.
The Brazilians have also supplied a sizeable portion of recent Bafana squads. Eight Sundowns players, including Williams, Mokoena, Rayners and Zwane, were part of South Africa’s final 2026 World Cup squad.
That continuity could work in Mosimane’s favour.
The coach already knows the demands of elite African football and has previously worked with several players who have developed through the Sundowns system.
For supporters, however, the selection also raises an interesting question: will Mosimane continue to build Bafana around the Sundowns core, or will he gradually reshape the team with players from other clubs and overseas leagues?
The return of familiar faces
One of the biggest talking points is the presence of experienced campaigners alongside younger players.
The inclusion of Themba Zwane is particularly notable. The veteran midfielder has been one of the defining players of the modern Sundowns era, while his familiarity with Mosimane adds another layer to the selection.
At the other end of the age spectrum, players such as Cassius Mailula and Tashreeq Matthews give Mosimane younger attacking options as he assesses the squad.
Mailula’s return is especially interesting after he was overlooked by previous national-team setups. Current reporting identifies him among Mosimane’s notable inclusions.
Mosimane has plenty of decisions to make
Being included in the preliminary squad does not guarantee a place in the final matchday squad.
Mosimane will still have to reduce his options and decide which players best fit his tactical approach.
The competition will be particularly interesting in goal, defence and midfield, where several players are fighting for limited positions.
For Sundowns supporters, though, the message from the preliminary squad is clear: the African champions continue to provide a significant portion of Bafana Bafana’s talent pool.
And with Mosimane now back in charge, the relationship between Sundowns and the national team could become one of the biggest talking points of the new Bafana era.
“Even Madala started like this…”
The phrase “even Madala started like this” adds another layer to the debate around experience and succession.
Mosimane has previously shown a willingness to trust established players while also giving emerging talent opportunities to grow.
The challenge now is finding the right balance between experience, current form and the next generation of South African stars.
With the 2027 AFCON qualifiers approaching, Bafana fans will be watching closely to see which of these 12 Sundowns players survive the final selection — and who becomes central to Mosimane’s plans.
