South Africa 1998: Celebrating Bafana Bafana's classic World Cup team

The Johannesburg-born Vonk was largely unknown to Bafana supporters as he had spent his formative years in the Netherlands and was called up while playing for Heerenveen. He even played for the Netherlands national under-20 team but after making his Bafana debut in May 1998, he went on to play for South Africa at the World Cup, keeping Brian Baloyi on the bench. Vonk later played for both Ajax Amsterdam and Ajax Cape Town.

The current sporting director of the Greek side Olympiacos, Issa was born in Germiston, Johannesburg, and is of Lebanese descent. He was based in France with Marseille at the time of the World Cup and once went on loan to Chelsea, but didn't get any game-time. A centre-back who could play right-back too, Issa was unfortunate to score an own goal in SA's opener in the 1998 World Cup, the second goal of a 3-0 defeat at the hands of hosts and eventual champions France.

The 'Chief' as he became known at Leeds United, was halfway through his eight-year stay with the English Premier League team when he captained Bafana at the World Cup. Played well throughout the tournament and the ex-Kaizer Chiefs Soweto-born Radebe remains one of Bafana Bafana's best ever centre-backs and most popular skippers.

After making is name in the PSL with Bloemfontein Celtic, the Orlando Pirates defender was two years into his eight-year stay with Bucs when the World Cup came around. A tenacious centre-back, Jackson took no prisoners in the tackle. Started two of the three World Cup matches in '98.

Fish was an ever-present alongside Radebe in the heart of the Bafana defence in France '98 and had a solid tournament. The ex-Orlando Pirates and Lazio (Italy) defender was playing for Bolton Wanderers in England's top-flight at the time of the 98 World Cup.

The nuggety left-back played for Orlando Pirates, the original Cape Town Spurs and Kaizer Chiefs in the PSL before leaving for Spanish side CD Tenerife. He was based with FC St. Gallen in Switzerland at the time of the World Cup and remains one of the best left-backs to have played for South Africa - an attacking force when overlapping wide defenders were just starting to become popular.

Only came on as a sub in the last game as he enjoyed just 25 minutes of World Cup action in 1998. Many South Africans will feel that the Kaizer Chiefs legend should have played more.

The Cape Town-born midfielder was playing in Spain for Atletico Madrid at the time of being selected for the World Cup. He played the entire first two games (France and Denmark) and was subbed with 25 minutes to go against Saudi Arabia. He then famously went on to play for Sir Alex Ferguson's all-conquering Manchester United side. His cultured left-boot, assured touch and snappiness in the tackle made him an integral part of the Bafana side.

The late Moshoeu, who enjoyed two stints with Kaizer Chiefs, was playing for Turkish giants Fenerbahce in 1998. The silky skilled midfielder is right up there with the very best talents to have ever played for South Africa. A driving force from midfield, he could do it all - dribble, pass, shoot, and was a joy to watch. Played every minute for Bafana in France that year.

Came on as a last-minute sub for McCarthy against France, but he started the next two games, and grabbed a brace against Saudi Arabia. His last minute penalty though wasn’t enough for Bafana to advance. The former Cape Town Spurs marksman was playing for Swiss club FC Zurich at the time, and later went on to star in the English Premiership for Charlton Athletic.

The Klerksdorp-born Masinga was playing for then Serie A side Bari at the time of the World Cup, having previously been with Radebe at Leeds, who signed him from Mamelodi Sundowns. The ex-Jomo Cosmos marksman, who sadly passed away in 2019, started against France and came off the bench against Denmark but did not feature in the final game.

Based at Ajax Amsterdam at the time, a 20-year-old McCarthy led the Bafana line impressively after starting all three matches. He scored the equaliser against Denmark, beating Peter Schmeichel - a goalkeeper he would later go on to score against in the Uefa Champions League and in the Premier League.