He has already said there may be changes, so this is a chance for players on the fringes to catch his eye. Here isa. round-up of who is in action (kick-off times are South African)
Jaedin Rhodes (Ried, Austria)
Away vs SPG Wallern/St. Marienkirchen, Friday 19h00
Rhodes could be in Austrian Cup action this weekend as his side look to progress against lower-league opposition. He has missed the last three matches with an adductor injury.
Yusuf Maart (Ried, Austria)
Away vs SPG Wallern/St. Marienkirchen, Friday 19h00
Maart has been a regular for Ried this season in the heart of the midfield.
Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany)
Home vs Karlsruher SC, Friday 18h30
Okon got his first start of the season last time out against Darmstadt and will want to back that up with another strong showing this weekend.
Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal)
Home vs FC Porto B, Saturday 12h00
Tondela’s Liga Portugal 2 match is on Saturday against the reserve side of FC Porto. Sithole has been a substitute in two of their three league games so far.
Relebohile Mofokeng (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgium)
Away vs Sporting Charleroi, Saturday 16h00
Mofokeng scored a neat goal in midweek as his good form continues following his move to Belgium. Next up are surprise leaders Sporting Charleroi, who have won all four of their games so far this season. RUSG have 10 points from a possible 12.
Olwethu Makhanya (Rangers, Scotland)
Home vs Motherwell, Saturday 16h00
Centre-back Makhanya continues to be a revelation at Rangers, even as the team itself is misfiring. They host unbeaten Motherwell (W2 D2).
Max Conway (Bolton Wanderers, England)
Away vs Millwall, Saturday 16h00
Bolton have not had the best of starts to the English Championship season, but their South Africa-qualified defender Conway has made three league starts and one substitute appearance. The left-back will be hoping to catch the eye of new national team coach Pitso Mosimane.
Aden McCarthy (Sabah FK, Azerbaijan)
Home vs Zira, Saturday 16h30
McCarthy has started both league games for Sabah this season and will hope to do so again against early pacesetters Zira, who sit top of the table.
Gift Links (AGF Aarhus, Denmark)
Home vs Silkeborg, Saturday 18h00
Aarhus’ tough start to the league season continued in midweek with a 2-0 loss to Midtjylland, a fixture Links missed due to a knee injury. It remains to be seen if he returns this weekend.
Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB, Romania)
Away vs Dinamo Bucharest, Saturday 19h30
The centre-back continues to work his way back from the injury issues that cost him a place at the 2026 World Cup.
Manasse Kianga (Slovan Bratislava, Slovakia)
Away vs DAC Dunajská Streda, Saturday 20h30
Kianga scored twice as Slovan won 8-0 in the Slovakian Cup in midweek. But their last league outing was a surprise 2-1 home loss to Zemplín Michalovce. Kianga now has five goals in four starts, and seven appearances overall, in all competitions this season.
Puso Dithejane (Chicago Fire, USA)
Away vs Toronto FC, Sunday 01h30
Dithejane was named Chicago Fire Player of the Month for August, and not without good reason, as his goals and assists have been crucial. Mbekezeli Mbokazi was their high-profile signing, but Dithejane is proving equally valuable.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, USA)
Away vs Toronto FC, Sunday 01h30
He remains on the injured list with a thigh issue, but there are hopes he could play again in 2026.
Lyle Foster (Houston Dynamo, USA)
Away vs Charlotte FC, Sunday 01h30
Foster has not played a competitive fixture since the opening game of the 2026 World Cup, so it is unlikely he will be thrown straight into the fray at new club Houston Dynamo, who he joined this week on loan from English Championship side Burnley.
Tylon Smith (New England Revolution, USA)
Away vs LA Galaxy, Sunday 03h30
Smith is biding his time waiting for his debut following a loan move to New England from English Championship side Queens Park Rangers.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United, USA)
Away vs Portland Timbers, Sunday 04h30
Hlongwane remains sidelined at Minnesota and has not played in their last couple of matches. It has been a miserable 2026 for him so far.
Thapelo Maseko (FC Copenhagen, Denmark)
Away vs OB, Sunday 16h00
Maseko has made a positive contribution off the bench since his arrival at FC Copenhagen from Mamelodi Sundowns. He will be hoping for a first start for the Danish table-toppers at OB on Sunday.
Shandre Campbell (Kortrijk, Belgium)
Home vs Zulte Waregem, Sunday 16h00
Kortrijk sit bottom of the league in Belgium after four losses in a row. Campbell did score in their last outing, though. They face unbeaten Zulte Waregem (W2 D2).
Samukele Kabini (Molde, Norway)
Home vs KFUM, Sunday 17h00
Kabini continues to be an important player for fourth-placed Molde as they look to secure European club competition next season. Their league title chances are gone.
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