With Pitso Mosimane announced as Hugo Broos's successor, several players overlooked by the Belgian in recent times -- understandably in some cases and controversially in others -- may have a clean slate.
Broos was South Africa's longest-serving coach in a stint spanning over five years, leading them to third place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and the round of 32 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but his team selection was not always universally popular.
Mosimane's appointment was essentially a second chance handed to him after a less than inspiring stint in charge of Bafana Bafana from 2010-2012. He has certainly earned it with three CAF Champions League titles and experience gained in the Middle East since then.
There are players seeking sustained second chances in Bafana colours, or to get onto Pitso's radar in the first place.
Some of the players below have made Mosimane's first 35-man preliminary squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, while others will have to wait to join the fold.
Still out in the cold
Gift Links, AGF Aarhus
Of all Broos' continued omissions from the Bafana Bafana squad, Links was the most difficult to reconcile with the Belgian mentor's philosophy.
Broos repeatedly stated his preference for moves to Europe over transfers to other leagues for his players. In Links, he had a player who was settled in Europe and proved his quality, but repeatedly opted not to call him up.
Winger/wingback Links signed for Denmark's AGF from Cape Town City in 2019. The 27-year-old last played for Bafana Bafana in a 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw with Zimbabwe on September 3, 2021.
Previously, he had played at the COSAFA Cup as a teenager, but the Zimbabwe draw was his first and only appearance under Broos.
For now, Links remains out of the fold. He has been battling injury and did not make Mosimane's preliminary squad for AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea later this month and the October 4 friendly against Egypt.
Thembinkosi Lorch, Al-Ittihad Tripoli
The versatile attacking midfielder faces an uncertain future, but Lorch has excelled since he moved to North Africa in early 2025. Initially, he was on loan at Morocco's Wydad Casablanca.
After impressing at the FIFA Club World Cup, he joined Libya's Al-Ittihad earlier this year. He finds himself subject to speculation of another possible transfer following the departure of head coach Rhulani Mokwena.
Lorch was repeatedly snubbed by Broos despite his return to form but previously earned high praise from Pitso Mosimane after 'Nyoso' won 2018-19 PSL Footballer of the Year while on the books of Orlando Pirates. At the time, Mosimane was in charge of rivals Sundowns. For now, Lorch remains out of the Bafana fold.
Tshegofatso Mabasa, MAS Fès
One of the most consistent scorers in South African football in recent years, Mabasa joined MAS Fès as a free agent following his departure from Orlando Pirates.
His only appearance under Broos came in a 3-1 win over Ethiopia a week after Links' only game for the Belgian coach.
Mabasa starred at the 2023 COSAFA Cup under Morena Ramoreboli and has at times been on the fringes of Broos' squad, but has been repeatedly overlooked. Aged 29, he may still have a part to play if Mosimane wants a goal poacher rather than a striker who excels at pressing.
Iqraam Rayners is still the obvious choice if an old-school number nine is wanted, but Mabasa is arguably next in line.
Keanu Cupido, Mamelodi Sundowns
Given Bafana's depth at centre-back and Cupido's ongoing issues related to the fractured collarbone he sustained against Kaizer Chiefs in May, he will not benefit from Mosimane's appointment in the immediate future.
However, if he returns to action and plays as well as he did towards the tail-end of last season, Cupido stands a strong chance of being in the frame for Bafana squads at the very least.
Victor Letsoalo, TS Galaxy
Letsoalo fell down the pecking order as Broos' Bafana tenure progressed, but has begun the current Premiership campaign with four goals in five appearances.
The 33-year-old last scored 5+ goals in a league season when he netted 15 in 2021-22 for Royal AM.
If he continues in his current vein of form, Bafana's shortage of consistent goalscorers in recent years may force Mosimane to consider the veteran - who is not in the current preliminary squad.
Luke le Roux, free agent
Portsmouth announced le Roux's departure last Thursday, with the termination of his contract giving the midfielder an opportunity to seek regular game time elsewhere and potentially a Bafana Bafana recall.
Even before the death of Jayden Adams in July, Broos had not absolutely settled upon a midfield combination. Teboho Mokoena has long been a settled starter and Sphephelo 'Yaya' Sithole recovered his form at the World Cup, with Bathusi Aubaas often used as cover. However, le Roux offers another option if he can get minutes under his belt.
On the brink of a return - in prelim squad
Puso Dithejane, Chicago Fire FC
Winger/attacking midfielder Dithejane (22) signed for the Fire from TS Galaxy in January. In fairness to Broos, he has always had several wingers to choose from.
Dithejane starred at the 2025 COSAFA Cup, but Vela Khumalo rather than Broos oversaw the squad for that tournament.
Dithejane is a star still on the rise, but his recent form for the Fire - which saw him named Player of the Month for July/August - put him in contention for Mosimane's squad, and was named him in his first preliminary squad and he stands a strong chance of featuring in the upcoming fixtures.
Tashreeq Matthews, Mamelodi Sundowns
Another winger/attacking midfielder whose consistency rightly saw him named in Mosimane's first preliminary squad, Matthews may in part be a victim of expectations generated by his 2018 move to Borussia Dortmund.
He never became a Bundesliga star and occasionally misses the odd chance, but his consistent output for African champions Mamelodi Sundowns and football intelligence have ensured Miguel Cardoso's faith in him has paid dividends. The 25-year-old still has time ahead of him to convince Mosimane of his worth.
Luther Singh, AEL Limassol
Singh's Bafana Bafana career to date has been marred by issues with his coaches. Stuart Baxter had given him a dressing-down early on in his national team career that may not have had its intended affect, while Broos questioned his professionalism over an alleged failure to renew his passport.
However, there is no doubt that the forward/winger is one of Bafana Bafana's most consistent players in Europe.
By including him in his first preliminary squad, Mosimane appears to have indicated that issues from Singh's early 20s are of no concern for management of him now as a 29-year-old. His record suggests he can provide a steady supply of both goals and assists.
Yanela Mbuthuma, Orlando Pirates
Mbuthuma played in the 2-0 win over Mozambique in June 2025 and remained on the outskirts in the build-up to the World Cup, making a preliminary squad for back-to-back March 2026 friendlies against Panama, but not the final squad.
Abdeslam Ouaddou has often started Mbuthuma even ahead of Evidence Makgopa, but it was the latter who played for Bafana in June at the World Cup while the former stayed home.
Makgopa has been sidelined recently with a knee problem. Mbuthuma, meanwhile, has started the season well. He still faces competition for a Pirates starting berth from Boitumelo Radiopane, but Mbuthuma is well-positioned to rise up the Bafana pecking order due to his improved form, consistency and work rate.
It was thus little surprise to see him make Mosimane's preliminary squad - and this time, he will hope to make it all the way onto the pitch.
Lebone Seema, Orlando Pirates
A centre-back poised to benefit more immediately from Mosimane's appointment to replace Broos, Seema has made it into Mosimane's squad after playing a crucial role in Orlando Pirates' title success last season.
The club was rocked by the departures of Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Olisa Ndah midway through the campaign, but Seema ensured that Nkosinathi Sibisi had a reliable partner in the meanest defence in the Premiership. At 23, he is one of many central defenders who appears to have a long and bright Bafana future.
Lebo Maboe, Kaizer Chiefs
Maboe was in Broos' preliminary World Cup squad, but ultimately cut. He has started the new season as he ended the last - marshalling the Kaizer Chiefs midfield with distinction - and once again making the Bafana preliminary squad.
Many Kaizer Chiefs fans have consistently argued that they have been under-represented in national team squads. Left-back Bradley Cross was their only representative in the World Cup squad. Given goalkeeper Brandon Petersen's downturn in form recently, Maboe is probably front of the pack for a promotion into the mix.
Cassius Mailula, Mamelodi Sundowns
Winger Mailula has made an immediate impact since rejoining Sundowns this season from Toronto FC. Broos had criticised his MLS move, questioning the timing and the choice of club. However, the 25-year-old has clearly lost nothing in terms of sheer talent.
Having come through the development ranks at Sundowns while Mosimane was coaching their first team, Mailula will know what it takes to impress the Bafana boss.
Four goals in his first 454 minutes back in yellow and blue surely helped his cause, and he is in Mosimane's preliminary squad.