List of Best Soccer Players in South Africa

In this article, we have gathered a list of the best soccer players in South Africa and brief biographical sketches about them.

Top 10 Best Soccer Players in South Africa 2022

Bongani Zungu

Bongani Zungu is a 29-year-old midfielder who plays for the South African national team and the French Ligue 2 team Amiens F.C. He is widely recognized as one of the best midfielders and soccer players to come out of South Africa in recent memory.

Lebogang Phiri

Lebogang Phiri is a 27-year-old central midfielder from Johannesburg, South Africa who plays for the South African national team and the Turkish Süper Lig team Çaykur Rizespor. Once hailed as a promising young player, he faded away from popular discussions but is slowly making a comeback.

Thembinkosi Lorch

Thembinkosi Lorch plays as a forward for the South African national team and the Orlando Pirates in the top-tier South African Premier Soccer League. Hailing from Bloemfontein, this 28-year-old has won numerous awards and often ranks highly among the best soccer players in South Africa.

Luther Singh

Luther Singh is a graduate of the world-famous Stars of Africa Football Academy, an institute that has trained some of the best soccer players in South Africa. Currently, he plays as a forward for the South African national team and the first division Danish Superliga team F.C. Copenhagen. Before that, he also represented South African national under-20 team and Portuguese Primeira Liga team Braga with distinction.

Lebogang Manyama

Lebogang Manyama has played as a midfielder for a string of the best South African Premier Soccer League teams. He even had a short but memorable stint with the Turkish Süper Lig club called Konyaspor Kulübü. This 31-year-old midfielder from Johannesburg currently plays for the South African Kaizer Chiefs club.

Vincent Pule

Vincent Pule, nicknamed Shuffle, is a 29-year-old forward who currently plays for the Orlando Pirates club in the South African Premier Soccer League. Known as one of the best free-kick specialists in the country, he also represents South Africa in international games.

Lebo Mothiba

Lebo Mothiba is among the best strikers from South Africa who regularly represents the national side. He has achieved several records playing for his country. In terms of his club affiliations, he has played for several French Ligue 1 teams over the years.

Fortune Makaringe

After several years with Maritzburg United, Fortune Makaringe currently plays for the Orlando Pirates in Premier League Soccer as an effective midfielder. 28-year-old Makaringe is known for his qualities of leadership, team-building, and perseverance. He is affectionately called ‘Maestro’ by his team.

Dumisani Zuma

Dumisani Zuma is a 26-year-old striker-cum-winger who has been mired in some controversies but his excellent track record compelled his club, the Kaizer Chiefs, to give him another chance. He has represented South Africa on several occasions.

Thibang Phete

Thibang Phete began his soccer journey from the famed Stars of Africa Football Academy. After starting his professional career with the South African second division team Milano United, he has played as a defender for a number of top Portuguese Primeira Liga clubs.

Top 10 Best Soccer Players in South Africa of All Time

Benni McCarthy

Benni McCarthy is a South African soccer legend who holds the record for the highest number of goals for the national team. He is also the only player from South Africa to have been part of a UEFA Champions League winning team. Currently, he works as a coach for the AmaZulu club in the Premier Soccer League.

Itumeleng Khune

Itumeleng Khune is one of the most senior professional soccer players in South Africa. This 34-year-old goalkeeper captain both the national team and the Kaizer Chiefs club in Premier League Soccer. Khune is remembered for many memorable saves and is among the best soccer players in South Africa playing today.

Lucas Radebe

Lucas Radebe is not only the most capped South African player but one of the best soccer players in South Africa ever. Nelson Mandela once called Radebe his hero. He represented his country, the Kaizer Chiefs, and Leeds United while garnering enormous praise and accolades along the way.

Doctor Khumalo

Doctor Khumalo is a retired South African soccer player who was rated among the best attacking midfielders in his heyday. He was the star midfielder for Kaizer Chiefs as well as the South African national team. Since his retirement, he has been involved in coaching as well as a media career.

Steven Pienaar

Few South Africans of Steven Pienaar’s generation can boast a career as illustrious as his. He played for some of the most prestigious clubs worldwide. He also captained the national team at one point. Currently, he is deeply involved in coaching and preparing the next generation of South African soccer stars.

Mark Fish

Mark Fish is a retired defender who was always considered an indispensable part of the South African national team. His contributions in the 1996 African Cup of Nations victory forever etched his name among the best soccer players in South Africa.

Quinton Fortune

Quinton Fortune not only represented South Africa in 46 games including 2 World Cups but also played for some of the best clubs globally. He was one of the best soccer players in South Africa in his time and was signed by Manchester United for a whopping £1.5 million in 1999. Since retirement, he has embarked on an international coaching career.

Aaron Mokoena

Known as ‘Mbazo,’ meaning ‘the axe,’ throughout his career because of his aggressive tackling skills, Aaron Mokoena was among the best soccer players in South Africa to play at the highest level in England.

Percy Tau

Percy Tau is a currently active South African winger who has earned a reputation as one of the top goal-scorers. After successful stints in South Africa, Belgium, and England, he currently competes in the Egyptian Premier League for the Al Ahly team.

Siphiwe Tshabalala

Siphiwe Tshabalala has the unique distinction of being selected for the national side while still playing in the second-division league. He is held to be high among the best soccer players in South Africa of all time. Most recently, he played for the AmaZulu club in the Premier Soccer League.