National team · CAF“Bafana Bafana”

Retro South Africa Shirts

A classic South Africa shirt from the 1950s, and the story of Bafana Bafana, from their return in 1992 to Africa Cup of Nations glory in 1996. Handcrafted in the UK from 100% cotton.
Shop 1 South Africa shirtsRead the South Africa kit story ↓
South Africa 1950s Retro Football Shirt South Africa 1950s Retro Football Shirt
Made in the UKHandcrafted the old-fashioned way
100% cottonAuthentic look and feel
Adults & kidsSizes S–5XL, plus kids’ range
Name & numberPersonalise any shirt
The collection

South Africa

1 shirt
Kids’ shirtsSizes for ages 3–13 → personalisation image Add a name & numberPeriod-correct lettering →
About the collection

Retro South Africa football shirts

South Africa kit timeline
  1. 1961Suspended by FIFA
  2. 1976Expelled from FIFA
  3. 1992First match after readmission, a 1–0 win over Cameroon in Durban
  4. 1996Africa Cup of Nations winners, as hosts
  5. 2010Hosts the first World Cup held in Africa

South Africa’s football history is unlike any other, shaped by decades of exclusion and a joyful return. Our retro South Africa shirt recreates a classic South Africa kit from the 1950s. Like all our retro South Africa shirts, it is handcrafted in the UK from 100% cotton, with no modern sponsor or manufacturer logos.

The 1950s

Our South Africa 1950s Retro Football Shirt comes from the decade before the country’s football association was suspended by FIFA in 1961. South Africa was expelled from FIFA in 1976, during the apartheid era, and was not readmitted until the early 1990s.

Bafana Bafana

South Africa’s first match after readmission was on 7 July 1992, a 1–0 win over Cameroon at Kings Park in Durban. The team became known as Bafana Bafana, meaning “the boys, the boys”. In 1996 they hosted and won the Africa Cup of Nations. In 2010 South Africa hosted the first World Cup held on African soil, and green and gold have long been the national team’s colours.

More international classics

Explore more retro international shirts, or add a name and number to make your South Africa shirt your own.

South Africa shirt FAQs

What does Bafana Bafana mean?+

Bafana Bafana means “the boys, the boys”. It became the national team’s nickname after South Africa returned to international football in 1992.

When did South Africa return to international football?+

South Africa was readmitted to FIFA in the early 1990s and played its first match back on 7 July 1992, beating Cameroon 1–0 in Durban.

Can I add a name and number to my South Africa shirt?+

Yes. Choose a name and number for £12, or just a name or just a number for £7.50. We match the lettering style to the era of your shirt.

What sizes do the South Africa shirts come in?+

Adult shirts come in sizes S to 5XL, and we make a kids’ range too. Check the size guide on each shirt for chest measurements.

Can I return my shirt?+

Unpersonalised shirts can be returned within 14 days. Personalised shirts are made to order, so they can’t be returned unless faulty.