Czechia vs South Africa World Cup Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Czechia should edge out Bafana Bafana
Czechia and South Africa face off in a must-win World Cup Group A clash following disappointing defeats in their opening games. South Africa enters with squad suspensions after a poor, red card-laden performance against Mexico, while Czechia struggled to capitalize on an initial lead against South Korea. Czechia’s strength on set pieces remains a key weapon, with Tomas Soucek and Oswin Appollis tipped for shots on target. Recommended bets favor a Czechia win to nil, as South Africa looks unlikely to break their current poor form.
- Czechia vs South Africa predictions for Thursday's World Cup Group A game
- Both teams desperate for three points after poor opening defeats
- Czechia tipped to edge it; Soucek & Appollis backed for a shot on goal
- The game is scheduled for kick off at 2.00am AEST on Friday June 19
Czechia v South Africa Live StreamWatch live online at bet365 > Soccer > World Cup 2026. T&Cs apply.
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Czechia vs South Africa World Cup Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
It's a must-win game for Czechia and South Africa as the two teams look to bounce back from opening Group A defeats when they clash on Thursday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Both nations were thoroughly outclassed in their opening matches. South Africa were downright abysmal in a 2-0 defeat to Mexico at the Estadio Azteca to launch the World Cup, while Czechia were given a lesson by South Korea, going down 2-1 after initially taking the lead.
South Africa's defeat was made all the more sour after both Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane picked up red cards, meaning they'll miss this encounter through suspension. For a squad lacking depth in the first place, that's not great for Hugo Broos, who already came under fire for failing to start winger Oswin Appollis, who was arguably Bafana Bafana's best in qualifying and the recent Africa Cup of Nations.
Surely Appollis gets a start here and I want to back him for 1+ shots on target - he scored two goals in four games in the AFCON and had 11 shots on goal in his last 12 appearances for the Orlando Pirates this past season.
Overall, I think Czechia win this and keep a clean sheet - but it might not be pretty. Miroslav Koubek's side scored the most goals from set pieces than any other side during qualifying and that remains their best route to goal. West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek had a goal ruled out for offside against South Korea and has had multiple shots on target in half of his last 10 international appearances - just one at plus money here looks good value.
Czechia vs South Africa Stats & Trends
- Czechia are unbeaten in six of their last seven games, winning four
- South Africa are winless in their last six games
- South Africa had just three shots on target vs Mexico, failing to score
- South Africa also failed to score vs Nicaragua in the lead-up
- Tomas Soucek has registered 2+ shots on target in five of his last 10 international games & had a goal ruled out for offside vs South Korea
- Oswin Appollis registered 1+ shots on target in 11 of his last 12 games for Orlando Pirates & has six goals in his last 17 games for South Africa
Czechia vs South Africa Head To Head
The only previous meeting between these nations resulted in a 2-2 draw at the 1997 Confederations Cup.
Czechia Form Analysis
Czechia rode a bit of luck to qualify for the World Cup, edging out Ireland and Denmark on penalties - and they were exposed a bit in their opening game
Despite taking the lead through Ladislav Krejci's header in the 59th minute, Czechia were ran down by South Korea and were decidedly second-best throughout the contest, ultimately going down 2-1.
Czechia remain a threat from set pieces and in aerial duels, with Tomas Soucek seeing his header in the second half ruled out for offside. But it was a poor performance - Czechia only had 39 per cent of possession and lost the shot count 15-7.
Czechia Team News
No fresh injuries for Czechia after the South Korea defeat and they should stick solid with their 3-4-2-1 formation.
Czechia will be hoping to create more chances for star forward Patrick Schick, with the Bayer Leverkusen striker kept quiet last week.
Czechia Squad
| Pos. | Player | Age | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Matěj Kovář | 26 | 21 | 0 | PSV Eindhoven |
| GK | Jindřich Staněk | 30 | 14 | 0 | Slavia Prague |
| GK | Lukáš Horníček | 23 | 1 | 0 | Braga |
| DF | David Zima | 25 | 25 | 1 | Slavia Prague |
| DF | Tomáš Holeš | 33 | 41 | 2 | Slavia Prague |
| DF | Robin Hranáč | 26 | 15 | 1 | TSG Hoffenheim |
| DF | Vladimír Coufal | 33 | 63 | 2 | TSG Hoffenheim |
| DF | Štěpán Chaloupek | 23 | 6 | 0 | Slavia Prague |
| DF | Ladislav Krejčí (c) | 27 | 28 | 6 | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| DF | David Jurásek | 25 | 18 | 1 | Slavia Prague |
| DF | Jaroslav Zelený | 33 | 24 | 0 | Sparta Prague |
| DF | David Douděra | 28 | 17 | 2 | Slavia Prague |
| MF | Vladimír Darida | 35 | 79 | 8 | Hradec Králové |
| MF | Lukáš Červ | 25 | 17 | 2 | Viktoria Plzeň |
| MF | Pavel Šulc | 25 | 22 | 5 | Lyon |
| MF | Lukáš Provod | 29 | 39 | 3 | Slavia Prague |
| MF | Michal Sadílek | 27 | 36 | 1 | Slavia Prague |
| MF | Tomáš Souček | 31 | 91 | 17 | West Ham United |
| MF | Alexandr Sojka | 23 | 3 | 0 | Viktoria Plzeň |
| MF | Hugo Sochůrek | 18 | 1 | 0 | Sparta Prague |
| MF | Denis Višinský | 23 | 2 | 1 | Viktoria Plzeň |
| FW | Adam Hložek | 23 | 44 | 5 | TSG Hoffenheim |
| FW | Patrik Schick | 30 | 54 | 26 | Bayer Leverkusen |
| FW | Jan Kuchta | 29 | 31 | 3 | Sparta Prague |
| FW | Mojmír Chytil | 27 | 23 | 6 | Slavia Prague |
| FW | Tomáš Chorý | 31 | 23 | 7 | Slavia Prague |
South Africa Form Analysis
Arguably the least-impressive out of all 48 sides at the World Cup in their opening games, South Africa need significant improvement if they are to challenge for the knockout phase.
Bafana Bafana were blown off the park by Mexico in the tournament opener, going down 2-0 - but it easily could have been by four or five.
Hugo Broos' side finished the game with nine men, just three shots and 39 per cent of possession for an xG of 0.08, extending their winless run to six games.
South African Team News
Broos will be forced into some changes after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were given their marching orders against Mexico.
Thalente Mbatha could come into the side alongside Jayden Adams in midfield, while Oswin Appollis should return to the starting side after he was controversially left on the bench and only brought on with 15 minutes remaining.
South Africa Squad
| Pos. | Player | Age | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Ronwen Williams (c) | 34 | 63 | 0 | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| GK | Sipho Chaine | 29 | 4 | 0 | Orlando Pirates |
| GK | Ricardo Goss | 32 | 5 | 0 | Siwelele |
| DF | Thabang Matuludi | 27 | 3 | 0 | Polokwane City |
| DF | Khulumani Ndamane | 22 | 5 | 0 | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| DF | Aubrey Modiba | 30 | 45 | 3 | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| DF | Mbekezeli Mbokazi | 20 | 11 | 1 | Chicago Fire |
| DF | Samukele Kabini | 22 | 6 | 0 | Molde |
| DF | Nkosinathi Sibisi | 30 | 21 | 0 | Orlando Pirates |
| DF | Khuliso Mudau | 31 | 33 | 1 | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| DF | Ime Okon | 22 | 9 | 1 | Hannover 96 |
| DF | Olwethu Makhanya | 22 | 1 | 0 | Philadelphia Union |
| DF | Kamogelo Sebelebele | 23 | 3 | 0 | Orlando Pirates |
| DF | Bradley Cross | 25 | 1 | 0 | Kaizer Chiefs |
| MF | Teboho Mokoena | 29 | 52 | 9 | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| MF | Thalente Mbatha | 26 | 16 | 3 | Orlando Pirates |
| MF | Yaya Sithole | 27 | 29 | 1 | Tondela |
| MF | Jayden Adams | 25 | 6 | 0 | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| FW | Oswin Appollis | 24 | 27 | 8 | Orlando Pirates |
| FW | Tshepang Moremi | 25 | 10 | 1 | Orlando Pirates |
| FW | Lyle Foster | 26 | 28 | 10 | Burnley |
| FW | Relebohile Mofokeng | 21 | 13 | 0 | Orlando Pirates |
| FW | Themba Zwane | 36 | 55 | 12 | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| FW | Thapelo Maseko | 22 | 10 | 1 | AEL Limassol |
| FW | Iqraam Rayners | 30 | 15 | 4 | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| FW | Evidence Makgopa | 26 | 27 | 6 | Orlando Pirates |
Czechia vs South Africa Live Stream
Watch and bet on Czechia vs South Africa live football from the World Cup.
You can watch and bet on the match live at bet365 > Soccer > World Cup 2026 with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.
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Verdict
Czechia are tipped to prevail, keeping this toothless South Africa side at bay. Soucek & Appollis are backed for shots on target.
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