Mexico vs South Africa: Match History

The Mexico vs. South Africa rivalry, though limited with only four encounters, features one of the most memorable moments in both nations' football histories—their 1-1 draw in the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup at Soccer City in Johannesburg, watched by over 84,000 fans. With Mexico holding a balanced record of 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss against Bafana Bafana, the matchup has spanned international friendlies, the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup (where South Africa defeated Mexico 2-1 as invited guests), and the historic 2000 US Nike Cup where Mexico triumphed 4-2. Their first meeting came in 1993, with Mexico securing a dominant 4-0 friendly victory in Los Angeles. As a cross-continental fixture between CONCACAF and CAF representatives, this rivalry showcases contrasting football philosophies and continues to generate interest whenever these two nations meet on the international stage.

Head-to-Head Record

2

Won

1

Drawn

1

Lost

Total Games: 4

All Matches

Mexico vs South AfricaDraw

1-1

Thursday, June 10, 2010

FIFA World Cup

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Match Details

Date: Thursday, June 10, 2010

Competition: FIFA World Cup

Venue: Soccer City, Johannesburg

Referee: Ravshan Irmatov

Lineups

South Africa

Manager: Carlos Alberto Parreira

Starting Lineup:
  • Itumeleng Khune (Goalkeeper)
  • Bongani Khumalo (Defender)
  • Lucas Thwala (Defender)
  • Aaron Mokoena (Defender/Centre back)
  • Siboniso Gaxa (Defender/Midfielder)
  • Kagisho Dikgacoi (Midfielder)
  • Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Midfielder)
  • Teko Modise (Midfielder)
  • Steven Pienaar (Midfielder)
  • Simphiwe Tshabalala (Midfielder)
  • Katlego Mphela (Forward)
Mexico

Manager: Javier Aguirre

Starting Lineup:
  • Oscar Perez (Goalkeeper)
  • Efrain Juarez (Defender)
  • Ricardo Osorio (Defender)
  • Francisco Rodríguez (Defender)
  • Carlos Salcido (Defender)
  • Rafael Márquez (Defender/Midfielder)
  • Paul Aguilar (Midfielder)
  • Gerardo Torrado (Midfielder)
  • Giovani dos Santos (Midfielder/Forward)
  • Guillermo Franco (Forward)
  • Carlos Vela (Forward)

Substitutions

South Africa
  • 46'Tshepo Masilela for Lucas Thwala
  • 83'Bernard Parker for Steven Pienaar
Mexico
  • 55'Andrés Guardado for Paul Aguilar
  • 69'Cuauhtemoc Blanco for Carlos Vela
  • 73'Javier Hernández for Guillermo Franco

Cards

South Africa
  • 27'Kagisho DikgacoiY
  • 70'Tshepo MasilelaY
Mexico
  • 18'Efrain JuarezY
  • 57'Gerardo TorradoY
Mexico vs South AfricaLoss

2-1

Thursday, July 7, 2005

CONCACAF Gold Cup

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Match Details

Date: Thursday, July 7, 2005

Competition: CONCACAF Gold Cup

Venue: Los Angeles

Referee:

Lineups

South Africa

Manager:

Starting Lineup:
  • Calvin Marlin (Goalkeeper)
  • Philip Evans (Defender)
  • Ricardo Katza (Defender)
  • Lucky Lekgwathi (Defender)
  • Lucas Thwala (Defender)
  • Siboniso Gaxa (Defender/Midfielder)
  • Lebohang Mokoena (Midfielder)
  • Elrio Van Heerden (Midfielder)
  • Lungisani Ndlela (Forward)
  • Siyabonga Nomvethe (Forward)
  • Siyabonga Siphika
Mexico

Manager:

Starting Lineup:
  • José Corona (Goalkeeper)
  • Hector Altamirano (Defender)
  • Ricardo Osorio (Defender)
  • Francisco Rodríguez (Defender)
  • Carlos Salcido (Defender)
  • Rafael Garcia (Midfielder)
  • Israel Lopez (Midfielder)
  • Gonzalo Pineda (Midfielder)
  • Sinha (Midfielder)
  • Jared Borguetti (Forward)
  • Rafael Marquez Lugo (Forward)

Substitutions

South Africa
  • 65'Reagan Noble for Lebohang Mokoena
  • 71'Gift Leremi for Siyabonga Nomvethe
  • 90'Craig Bianchi for Elrio Van Heerden
Mexico
  • 46'Alberto Medina for Rafael Garcia
  • 53'Omar Bravo for Sinha
  • 71'Luis Pérez for Israel Lopez

Cards

South Africa
    Mexico
      Mexico vs South AfricaWin

      4-2

      Tuesday, June 6, 2000

      US Nike Cup

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      Match Details

      Date: Tuesday, June 6, 2000

      Competition: US Nike Cup

      Venue: Cotton Bowl, Dallas

      Referee: Timothy Weyland

      Lineups

      Mexico

      Manager: Manuel Lapuente

      Starting Lineup:
      • Joaquin Beltran (Defender)
      • Paulo Chávez (Midfielder)
      • Israel Lopez (Midfielder)
      • Luis Pérez (Midfielder)
      • Gerardo Torrado (Midfielder)
      • Luis Hernandez (Forward)
      • Daniel Osorno (Forward)
      • Raul Alpizar
      • Sergio Bernal
      • Jesus Olalde
      • Christian Ramirez
      South Africa

      Manager:

      Starting Lineup:
      • Andre Arendse (Goalkeeper)
      • Pierre Issa (Defender)
      • Jacob Lekgetho (Defender)
      • Cyril Nzama (Defender/Midfielder)
      • Helman Mkhalele (Midfielder)
      • Dumisa Ngobe (Midfielder)
      • Godfrey Sapula (Midfielder)
      • Delron Buckley (Forward)
      • George Koumantarakis (Forward)
      • Benni McCarthy (Forward)
      • Fabian McCarthy

      Substitutions

      Mexico
      • 68'Luis Igancio Gonzalez for Luis Hernandez
      • 68'Carlos Carino for Paulo Chávez
      • 79'Jaime Lozano for Daniel Osorno
      • 79'Horacio Sanchez for Jesus Olalde
      South Africa
      • 71'Thabo Mngomeni for Dumisa Ngobe
      • 71'Patrick Mayo for George Koumantarakis
      • 85'Arthur Zwane for Helman Mkhalele

      Cards

      Mexico
      • 'Gerardo TorradoY
      • 'Sergio BernalY
      • 'Daniel OsornoY
      • 'Raul AlpizarY
      South Africa
      • 'Andre ArendseY
      • 'Delron BuckleyY
      • 'Pierre IssaY
      • 'Helman MkhaleleY
      • 'Cyril NzamaY
      Mexico vs South AfricaWin

      4-0

      Tuesday, October 5, 1993

      International Friendly

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      Match Details

      Date: Tuesday, October 5, 1993

      Competition: International Friendly

      Venue: Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

      Referee: Helder Diaz

      Lineups

      Mexico

      Manager: Miguel Mejia Baron

      Starting Lineup:
      • Jorge Campos (Goalkeeper)
      • Ignacio Ambriz (Defender)
      • Ramon Ramirez (Defender)
      • Marcelino Bernal (Midfielder)
      • Benjamin Galindo (Midfielder)
      • Joahan Rodriguez (Midfielder)
      • Luis Roberto Alves (Forward)
      • Daniel Guzman (Forward)
      • Guadalupe Castaneda
      • David Patino
      South Africa

      Manager:

      Starting Lineup:
      • Lucas Radebe (Defender/Centre back)
      • John Moshoeu (Midfielder)
      • Brendan Augustine (Forward)
      • Steve Crowley
      • Donald 'Ace' Khuse
      • Steve Komphela
      • Pitso Mosimane
      • Sizwe Wesley Motaung
      • Daniel Mudau
      • Rudolph Seale
      • Neil Robert Tovey

      Substitutions

      Mexico
      • 46'Missael Espinoza for Benjamin Galindo
      • 46'Gustavo Napoles for Luis Roberto Alves
      • 60'Carlos Briones for Jorge Campos
      South Africa
      • 46'Theophilis Khumalo for Daniel Mudau
      • 62'Mark Fish for Donald 'Ace' Khuse
      • 73'Robinson Seakamela for Pitso Mosimane

      Cards

      Mexico
      • 'Missael EspinozaY
      South Africa
      • 'Steve KomphelaY