World Cup Cult Heroes: Siphiwe Tshabalala - South Africa

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 5 Feb 2026 08:39 CST
• 7 min read

Analysis

The World Cup is the most famous international tournament in sport and the biggest stars in football history have lifted the iconic trophy since its inception in 1930.

The likes of Pele, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi have all produced decisive moments in the tournament's history, while Germany icon Miroslav Klose remains the all-time top goalscorer with 16 strikes in 24 matches.

Although the spotlight is typically on the most well-known stars at every World Cup, each tournament unearths a hidden gem or a cult hero figure who captivates the hearts of the masses and leaves with their reputation at an all-time high.

In 2010, South Africa’s Siphiwe Tshabalala certainly established himself as a World Cup cult hero.

World Cup Cult Heroes: Siphiwe Tshabalala (South Africa)

The 2010 World Cup was the first ever tournament held in Africa and it remains one of the most iconic World Cups in history.

The controversial Jabulani match ball, the vuvuzelas, Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) by Shakira, Frank Lampard’s "ghost goal" versus Germany, Paul the Octopus and, of course, the opening goal of the tournament - scored by Siphiwe Tshabalala.

It was an extremely memorable tournament and it was kicked off with a truly spectacular strike by Tshabalala.

In the 55th minute of the opening game between South Africa and Mexico, Tshabalala was played through on goal and he unleashed a thunderous left-footed effort that sailed past Oscar Perez and into the top corner.

It sparked jubilant scenes in the Soccer City stadium and led to a truly iconic goal celebration featuring five South Africa players.

The match ended 1-1, thanks to an equaliser from Rafael Marquez, and despite later beating 2006 runners-up France, South Africa became the first ever host nation to be knocked out in the group stage, with Mexico finishing ahead of them on goal difference.

However, Tshabalala cemented his place in World Cup folklore with one of the most memorable goals in the tournament’s illustrious history. He may have failed to produce another piece of magic in South Africa’s final two group stage games, but for that one moment alone, he is undoubtedly a World Cup cult hero.

Speaking to FIFA in 2020, Tshabalala said: "That was always going to be the biggest goal in my career, no matter what came after, because it touched so many lives and brought joy to so many people. I’ll always love it – it’s beautiful – but the goal is bigger than me as an individual.

"Although it happened ten years ago, it still feels like yesterday because I get reminders and messages from people about it every single day. It’s very humbling. That goal was special at the time, it’s special today and, for me and a lot of other people, it will be special forever."

He added: "When they announced the World Cup was coming to South Africa [in 2004], I was nowhere as a footballer. But I remember telling my friend, ‘I’ll be there in 2010, playing for Bafana Bafana’. It shows the power of positive thinking.

"It was the same as the game got closer – I envisaged having a good game and scoring a goal. The celebration showed that actually because it was rehearsed. We knew we were going to score!"

The strike also sparked one of the most memorable pieces of World Cup commentary in history from Peter Drury: "Goal Bafana Bafana! Goal for South Africa! Goal for all Africa!"

His words echoed the truth too. There were a plethora of negative headlines surrounding South Africa's place as the host nation, but such criticism dissipated thanks to a goal that transcended football.

It was celebrated across the entire continent and remains arguably the biggest moment in African football history.

What happened to Siphiwe Tshabalala after the 2010 World Cup?

After his heroics at the 2010 World Cup, Tshabalala simply continued his career at South African giants Kaizer Chiefs, having joined the club from Free State Stars FC in 2007.

He eventually left in 2018, having racked up 344 appearances, 55 goals and four trophies during a hugely successful 11-year stint at the club, and he completed a move to Turkish side Erzurumspor SK.

Tshabalala was released after just one season at the club and he subsequently spent 15 months as a free agent before returning to South Africa with AmaZulu FC. After three appearances across a 10-month spell, Tshabalala retired in August 2021.

He ended his career with 91 caps and 12 goals for South Africa.

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