Mosimane Aims To Mirror Springboks’ Depth Model In Bafana Revolution
Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane says he wants to revolutionize the national team by building deep squad depth, taking direct inspiration from Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus.
Speaking to the media for the first time on Monday, Mosimane highlighted that creating squad depth will safeguard the team when key players are unavailable due to injuries or suspensions.
Building vast depth is precisely what Erasmus achieved with the Springboks, consistently granting peripheral squad members vital match-minutes with a view toward the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, where South Africa will target an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup title.
Mosimane witnessed this philosophy firsthand when he attended the third match of “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” between the Boks and All Blacks at FNB Stadium weeks ago. The Springboks went on to claim the series 3-1 after a decisive final Test in Baltimore, USA.
Applying the Springbok template, Mosimane intends to rotate heavily across Bafana Bafana’s upcoming three-match schedule during the elongated FIFA international break.
The campaign begins with two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers—hosting Guinea at Orlando Amstel Arena on 26 September before traveling to face Eritrea at a neutral venue in Egypt for days later.
The fixture against Eritrea will mark Bafana Bafana’s 50th international match against African opposition. They will conclude the window with a high-profile friendly against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium on 4 October.
“Sometimes we need to learn from the Boks,” said Mosimane.
“They can play with anybody. It can be the under-18s of the Boks; they can go to the World Cup and play against big teams with the under-18s. I mean, that is serious stuff.
“What does it tell the world about the Boks? The talent is stacked behind; it doesn’t matter who plays.
“So, we need to have that culture in the national team, and that is what I believe in.
“I have always used young players – Daine Klate when he was 17, Cassius Mailula was with me in the pre-season when he was 16 years old, and probably some of you don’t know [at Mamelodi Sundowns].
“I have seen what I have seen. It’s not for me to justify that Cassius must be here; he is doing it week in and week out.
“I’m happy you are not surprised why he is here. The boy is scoring for Sundowns at the highest level. Talent needs to be stacked properly; I just wish that things could go well.
“I want to make a revolution in South African football, not only with Bafana, but with youth football.”
