Bafana Bafana are still breathing at the 2026 World Cup. A 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic in Atlanta on Thursday night kept their knockout stage hopes alive after a disastrous start.

The match began horribly for Hugo Broos' side. Czech midfielder Michal Sadílek scored within the first five minutes after poor defensive marking left him unmarked. The Europeans dominated the first half and created several chances, but wasteful finishing and resilient defending kept South Africa in the game.

South Africa eventually found a way back when Teboho Mokoena converted a late penalty to earn a valuable point. The draw leaves Bafana bottom of Group A with one point, but they still have a chance to qualify heading into their final group match against South Korea.

Here are five reasons Bafana managed to earn a draw.

Positive attacking approach

Broos opted for an attacking 4-3-3 formation, with Oswin Appollis, Thapelo Maseko and Iqraam Rayners leading the line. The front three struggled to make a consistent impact in the first half, but their pace and movement occasionally stretched the Czech defence. It was a much more adventurous approach compared to the defeat against Mexico.

Effective halftime substitutions

The introduction of Relebohile Mofokeng and Evidence Makgopa after the break changed the game. South Africa enjoyed more possession and spent longer periods in the opposition half. Mofokeng brought urgency and creativity to the attack, helping Bafana gain momentum and preventing the Czechs from controlling the game as they had in the first half.

Less reliance on short passes at the back

Early on, Ronwen Williams and his defenders persisted with short passes despite intense pressure from Czech forwards. As the match progressed, Williams mixed things up by playing longer balls into advanced areas. This relieved pressure and allowed players like Rayners and Appollis to compete for possession higher up the pitch. The direct approach disrupted the Czech press and helped South Africa gain territory.

Maseko's attacking threat

Thapelo Maseko was one of South Africa's brightest attacking performers. His movement and dribbling caused problems for the Czech defence throughout the match. While he lacked consistency at times, his pace and unpredictability ensured the Europeans were never completely comfortable. Bafana created more chances on the right as the Czechs struggled to match his speed.

Improved defending from set-pieces

One of the biggest positives was Bafana's organisation when defending set-pieces. Despite facing a physically imposing Czech side, they dealt effectively with corners and free-kicks for most of the match. They avoided conceding from dead-ball situations and showed greater defensive discipline, which will boost their confidence ahead of the decisive clash against South Korea.

With one match remaining, Bafana Bafana must beat South Korea to stand a realistic chance of progressing to the next round. The draw against the Czech Republic may not have lifted them off the bottom of the group, but it ensured their World Cup dream remains alive.