South Africa’s national team conversation is once again being shaped by the same familiar names, but former Bafana Bafana defender Matthew Booth believes Hugo Broos would be wise to widen the net. Speaking about the current PSL campaign, Booth argued that the Bafana Bafana technical team should look beyond the usual “Big Three” of Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns and give serious attention to in-form players turning out for clubs like Richards Bay and AmaZulu.
That suggestion lands at an interesting time for South African football. Broos has built his squad with a clear idea of how he wants Bafana to play, and that structure has rewarded consistency, discipline and tactical fit. But Booth’s point is simple: there are players outside the usual powerhouses who are performing well enough to at least be considered, even if they do not tick every box in the Belgian coach’s system.
Among the names Booth singled out is Simphiwe Mcineka, who has impressed for Richards Bay FC. Booth was particularly strong in his praise of the defender, saying he has watched plenty of Richards Bay matches and believes Mcineka has been excellent not only this season, but in the previous one as well. In a league where defensive reliability often gets overlooked unless it comes with trophies or a big-name club badge, that kind of consistency is difficult to ignore.
Booth also made mention of Keanu Cupido, who continues to stand out at Mamelodi Sundowns. Even at a club with deep squad depth and fierce competition for places, performances that catch the eye tend to come from players who are technically sharp and tactically disciplined. Cupido’s inclusion in the discussion shows that Booth is not simply arguing for lower-profile clubs to be noticed for the sake of it; he is pointing to players across the PSL who have earned attention through form.
The former defender then turned to AmaZulu FC, where he believes several players have done enough to be part of the broader national-team conversation. Booth said the club’s defenders have performed strongly this season under Arthur Zwane, and he named Keegan Allan and Taariq Fielies as examples of players who have delivered at a high level.
The issue, however, is not quality alone. Booth was careful to point out that AmaZulu’s back-three system may work against them when it comes to Bafana selection. Broos has often leaned towards a different defensive structure, and that means some players can be overlooked simply because they operate in a system the national coach does not use regularly.
That tactical mismatch is one of the central questions in South African football right now. Should Bafana only select players who fit Broos’ exact blueprint, or should the technical team also reward form, versatility and long-term potential? Booth appears to be firmly in the second camp, at least when it comes to these defenders.
Bafana Bafana squad selection and the case for PSL form players
Booth’s comments speak to a bigger debate around Bafana Bafana squad selection: how much weight should be given to club form when the national team already has a well-defined style of play? In South Africa, this has become a familiar argument every time a squad is announced. Fans want merit to matter, but coaches often prioritise familiarity with system, shape and game plan.
For Booth, there is no contradiction in looking at players from clubs like Richards Bay and AmaZulu. In fact, he believes that ignoring them would be a missed opportunity. A national-team call-up does not always have to mean a starting role, and that is where players like Keegan Allan could benefit most. Booth suggested that simply travelling with the squad could be a valuable step in a young player’s development.
That idea makes sense in the context of Broos’ work so far. The Bafana coach has repeatedly shown he is willing to blend experience with emerging talent, but he has also been selective in how he does it. Players need to prove they can handle international demands, and often that starts with being brought into camp and exposed to the setup before they are trusted in competitive matches.
What stands out in Booth’s argument is the recognition that South African football has more depth than the conversation sometimes allows. Supporters and pundits naturally focus on the country’s biggest clubs because those sides dominate headlines, television coverage and title races. But as we have seen across the PSL season, strong performances are not exclusive to the traditional giants.
Richards Bay, in particular, have produced players who deserve a closer look. Mcineka’s form has been noted over time, and in a national team environment that values defensive organisation, his consistency could be useful. Likewise, AmaZulu’s back line has offered evidence that their players can handle pressure, structure and responsibility, even if their formation is not the same as Bafana’s preferred shape.
The Broos era has been built around accountability, and that should cut both ways. If a player at a smaller club is performing at a high enough level, the badge on his shirt should not be the only thing standing between him and a call-up. That is especially true in a country where talent is often spread across the league rather than concentrated in one or two teams.
Booth’s perspective also reflects a broader truth about South African football development: the national team cannot afford to become too narrow in its thinking. With AFCON and future qualifying campaigns always around the corner, depth matters. Injuries, suspensions and form dips can quickly change the picture, and the best squads are usually the ones that know where to find reliable options beyond the obvious.
Broos has already shown he is a coach who values structure and discipline, but the PSL continues to produce players who can challenge the status quo. As our reporting has shown before, the strongest national teams are often built by coaches who are willing to balance system with merit. Booth’s remarks are a reminder that the pool is wider than many believe.
For South African fans, that is encouraging news. It means the national-team picture is not frozen around a handful of familiar clubs, and it means strong PSL performances are still capable of opening doors. Whether Broos chooses to act on that advice remains to be seen, but the message from Booth is clear: there is talent outside the spotlight, and Bafana Bafana should be paying attention.