There are unlikely to be many surprises, though perhaps one or two bolters could emerge.
It seems two stalwarts from the qualification campaign, centre-back Siyabonga Ngezana and winger Mohau Nkota, will not be there after being left out of the preliminary squad. But perhaps Broos will have had a change of heart.
It is also likely he will take the full complement of 26 players, having seemed unsure earlier in the year. His desire not to have ‘hangers-on’ should be tempered by the possibility of injury or suspension during the tournament after a long season for the players.
South Africa face co-hosts Mexico in the tournament opener on June 11, before Group A clashes with Czech Republic in Atalanta (June 18) and South Korea in Monterrey (June 24).
They will play Nicaragua in a friendly clash at the Orlando Stadium on Friday before they depart for their team base in Pachuca, Mexico.
So what might Broos' squad look like? We predict his final selection.
Goalkeepers
Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele)
This looks a routine selection, but Sipho Chaine as back-up is, in some ways, a big call. He is coming off a record-breaking season at domestic champions Orlando Pirates but was dropped from the squad in March to face Panama and has barely been given game time by Broos, while others, such as Renaldo Leaner and Sage Stephens, have.
It is not a form issue, so you can only assume there has been something Broos has seen in the demeanour of the player, perhaps at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he took Ronwen Williams, Chaine and Ricardo Goss.
But Broos also has to be practical if there is an injury or suspension to Williams. What is his best chance of success after that? Chaine is at least a keeper in form, though he also played behind the best defence in the league this season with Pirates.
Broos has often praised Goss for his mentality around training and how he is within the group. Is he better than Brandon Petersen, the other name in the frame? You would say not, but at a major tournament like the World Cup, you need ‘characters’ who can lift the team and are as valuable for what they do off the pitch as on it. Goss appears to be that for Broos.
Defenders
Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union, United States), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns) / Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Samukele Kabini (Molde, Norway), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, United States)
The only real question here is over the fitness of left-back Aubrey Modiba after he was forced out of the second leg of the CAF Champions League final with a hamstring injury. Those can be nasty and take time to heal.
Bradley Cross has been brought into the preliminary squad, so you would assume he is seen as next in line after Molde’s Samukele Kabini, who would likely start.
Who else is there? Fawaaz Basadien’s chances have fallen off a cliff since his move to Mamelodi Sundowns. Terrence Mashego has had a good season at Durban City but also seems to have fallen down the pecking order.
Khuliso Mudau is a sure thing at right-back and Thabang Matuludi has been his back-up for some time now. It would be an odd time to change that arrangement.
Philadelphia Union’s Olwethu Makhanya has been added to the preliminary squad for what many view as long-overdue recognition following some outstanding displays in Major League Soccer, albeit in a struggling team this season.
With 26 players, Broos can afford to take five centre-backs and there is a real difficulty in playing Nkosinathi Sibisi and Mbekezeli Mbokazi together, given both are comparatively short for centre-backs.
They played together at Pirates, but, with the greatest respect, you can get away with that in the Betway Premiership, not at the World Cup.
Ime Okon looked promising against Panama and is coming off a good season in Bundesliga II, while Khulumani Ndamane has just won the CAF Champions League with Sundowns as a regular starter.
His issue is that he is a left-sided centre-back, the same as Mbokazi, who is sure to start. That means it is likely that one of the uncapped Makhanya or Okon will start alongside the latter. Both are just 22 years old, so it will be a huge test for them, but they also started as teenage prodigies and have several seasons of domestic football under their belt.
Midfielders
Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal)
This looks to be the most straightforward of Broos’ selections, though you never really know what is going through his mind.
These four have been used consistently over the last few years, though Jayden Adams did have a spell outside the squad and missed the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
That was more about him losing his way a little than any concern over his ability. He is an excellent midfielder and can be a real engine for the side.
Thalente Mbatha is coming off a good season with Pirates and has risen to the occasion with Bafana before, while it was probably a toss-up between Sphephelo Sithole and Bathusi Aubaas. But with the latter injured, Broos’ mind is made up for him.
Durban City’s Brooklyn Poggenpoel and Kaizer Chiefs’ Lebohang Maboe are also in the preliminary squad, but it would be a major call to bring them into the side now despite some admittedly good form.
Maboe has not played for Bafana since 2021 and Poggenpoel made a single appearance at the 2024 COSAFA Cup.
This is such a crucial tactical position for Bafana that it would not be ideal to bring in a new player now and have to work with them from scratch.
Forwards
Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Patrick Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng (all Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Iqraam Rayners, Themba Zwane (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns) / Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol, Cyprus)
This is another group that probably selects itself from the preliminary squad. The biggest question might be whether Sundowns’ Thapelo Morena is fit and, if he is, he will surely be on the plane to Mexico. If not, then the less experienced Kamogelo Sebelebele is the natural replacement, as both have pace and can cover right-back and right wing.
Lyle Foster, Evidence Makgopa and Iqraam Rayners will likely be the forward options. The latter did not make the Africa Cup of Nations squad, but it would be foolish to go into the World Cup with only two out-and-out strikers. Rayners also gives them a different way to play from the other two with his ability to run in behind defenders.
He also has the experience of playing at the FIFA Club World Cup last year.
Relebohile Mofokeng, Themba Zwane and Patrick Maswanganyi are the playmaker options. The latter would likely not make it if Broos were selecting a 23-player squad, but the extra places give him room to be included.
It is likely to be Maswanganyi or an extra midfielder, one of Poggenpoel or Maboe.
Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Thapelo Maseko and Morena/Sebelebele provide width, though it remains a mystery why Nkota has fallen from favour. It can only be something Broos sees off the pitch.
Elias Mokwana and Bongokuhle Hlongwane are other wingers who have been tried in the recent past, but neither has impressed.
You do wonder where the goals are going to come from against quality defenders and, with Foster not having played much for Burnley since manager Scott Parker left the club in late April, he has no form behind him, but is still the man most likely to start.
