How long has it been since South Africa won a major trophy?

South Africa last won a major trophy at the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations. The live counter on this page updates automatically.

South Africa's Last AFCON Title: 1996

South Africa's trophy history

South Africa's only major trophy carries deep symbolic weight beyond football: the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, won as hosts, was the 'Bafana Bafana's' first appearance at the tournament after South Africa's readmission to international football following the end of apartheid, having been banned from FIFA and CAF competitions since the early 1960s. South Africa beat Tunisia 2-0 in the final in Johannesburg, with striker Mark Williams coming off the bench to score twice in the space of three minutes. The trophy was presented by South African president Nelson Mandela, and the tournament is widely remembered as a landmark moment of post-apartheid national unity, echoing the country's Rugby World Cup win the year before. South Africa have not reached another AFCON final since, and their best World Cup result remains the group stage, at the tournament they hosted in 2010.

South Africa's senior international honours

Competition	Titles won	Tracked here
FIFA World Cup	0	Yes
Africa Cup of Nations	1	Yes

South Africa's World Cup record

Appearances	4
Best result	Round of 32 (2026)
Most recent World Cup	2026

South Africa's notable tournament finishes

Year	Competition	Result	Detail
1996	Africa Cup of Nations	Won	2-0 vs Tunisia, as hosts

Legendary South Africa players

Neil Tovey — Captained South Africa to their 1996 AFCON title in the team's first appearance at the tournament.
Mark Williams — Came off the bench to score twice in three minutes in the 1996 final against Tunisia.
Lucas Radebe — Defensive stalwart of the 1996 squad who went on to captain Leeds United in the Premier League.
Doctor Khumalo — Creative midfielder and one of the most celebrated South African players of the post-apartheid era.

Interesting facts about South Africa

South Africa's 1996 AFCON win came in their first-ever appearance at the tournament, following readmission after the end of apartheid.
The trophy was presented by South African president Nelson Mandela, a year after South Africa's symbolic Rugby World Cup win.
Mark Williams scored two goals in three second-half minutes to win the 1996 final against Tunisia.
South Africa's best World Cup result remains the group stage, including as hosts of the 2010 tournament.

South Africa frequently asked questions

When did South Africa win their only major trophy?

The 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, held on home soil, beating Tunisia 2-0 in the final.

Why was South Africa's 1996 AFCON win significant beyond football?

It was their first tournament appearance after being readmitted to international football following the end of apartheid, and was seen as a moment of national unity.

Who presented South Africa with the 1996 AFCON trophy?

President Nelson Mandela.

How did South Africa do at the 2010 World Cup they hosted?

They were eliminated in the group stage, their best-ever World Cup result.

Common South Africa search questions

Has South Africa ever won AFCON?

Yes. South Africa last won AFCON in 1996, when they won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations. The live counter above shows the current time since that title.