Do not mess with the security guards at Mbombela Stadium.
In what was an apparent case of mistaken identity, a Bafana Bafana technical team member was tackled to the ground by security after the team qualified for next year’s World Cup on Tuesday.
South Africa breathed a huge sigh of relief when Bafana beat Rwanda 3-0 in Mbombela to secure a safe passage to the World Cup in North America.
In the ensuing celebrations after the match, a man wearing a green shirt, draped in the South African flag, was seen running across the field in a video doing the rounds on social media.
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What were they doing to you Tata @SinesiphoMali 🤣🤣🤣🤣ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ pic.twitter.com/2inI36FHp3
— Afrika (@TheBlack_iam) October 15, 2025
The man, identified on social media as Bafana technical analyst Sinesipho Mali, was tackled to the ground by a team of enthusiastic security guards. Bafana star Oswin Appollis is then seen coming to his aid and intervening, which results in the staffer getting a hug from the apologetic guards.
The Bafana staffer was fortunate to have got up and walked away after the tackle.
Last year, one unfortunate soul left the same stadium on a stretcher for ignoring the warning to stay off the field after a Rugby Championship Test between the Springboks and Argentina.
On a night where Eben Etzebeth became the most capped Springbok in history, celebrations got a bit wild, and a few fans who looked like they had too much to drink decided to run onto the pitch as the Springboks revelled.
@nina_burger_ As per requested, full streaker video of last nights game of RSA vs Argentina at #mbombelastadium in slow motion. #streakersgettingsmashed ♬ Amabokoboko (Sister Bokkina) – Mgarimbe
While a few did not make it far, one managed to evade a number of security guards, until he turned his back and was flattened by a tackle that would have made Pieter-Steph du Toit proud.
After realising that the spectator was knocked out cold, the concerned tackler can be seen signalling for help. The entire incident was captured on camera and posted on TikTok.
These two incidents are a reminder that Mbombela security guards take their job – and their tackles – very seriously.
Sport
