Hugo Broos is on the verge of becoming the longest-serving Bafana Bafana coach in terms of matches managed, but his pursuit of the record could depend on whether South Africa's proposed friendly against Jamaica is officially recognised by FIFA.
The South Africa head coach has already confirmed he will step down after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leaving him with at least four matches remaining in charge — including Saturday's encounter with Jamaica in Puebla, Mexico.
However, the status of that fixture remains unclear. Broos intends to use the match primarily as a training exercise and requested that it be played behind closed doors. As a result, FIFA's decision on whether to classify it as a full international could determine if the game counts towards official records and world rankings.
Broos currently sits on 55 matches as Bafana Bafana coach. If the Jamaica fixture is recognised and South Africa complete their three World Cup group-stage matches, the Belgian would reach 59 games in charge — surpassing Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba's record of 58.
Should Bafana Bafana progress beyond the group stage at the World Cup, Broos would further extend the benchmark.
Since taking over in May 2021, Broos has overseen 55 matches, recording 26 wins, 21 draws and just eight defeats. Under his leadership, South Africa have scored 80 goals while conceding 44.
The 73-year-old has spent five years at the helm of the national team, making it the second-longest managerial spell of his 38-year coaching career. Only his six-season tenure with Club Brugge between 1991 and 1997 lasted longer.
Interestingly, Bafana Bafana have played 90 matches during Broos' time in charge. However, 35 of those games came in the COSAFA Cup, African Nations Championship or selected friendlies where he was not on the bench.
SAFA's records also credit Broos with overseeing a friendly against Uganda in June 2021, despite the coach still being in Belgium at the time, approximately 9,000 kilometres away.
While the matches record remains within reach, Broos has already secured another milestone. He currently holds the record for the longest tenure as Bafana Bafana coach, surpassing the late Clive Barker's previous mark of three years and eight months.
Shakes Mashaba: P58 W32 D21 L5 GF94 GA40
Hugo Broos: P55 W26 D21 L8 GF80 GA44
Stuart Baxter: P52 W23 D13 L16 GF78 GA58
Clive Barker: P43 W22 D9 L12 GF57 GA38
Carlos Alberto Parreira: P36 W16 D13 L7 GF49 GA25
