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Cape Town - South Africa will begin their road to the 2018 World Cup finals when they travel to Angola for the first leg of their second-round qualifier.
Bafana Bafana have endured some rocky results over the last few months, losing their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mauritania in September, while also going down 3-2 on aggregate against the Angolans in African Nations Championship qualifying action in October.
Shakes Mashaba's men have, however, also shown their qualities lately, beating Senegal and Costa Rica before drawing against Honduras during the recent round of friendly internationals over the last two months.
However, those results underline Bafana's inconsistency and the side cannot afford another slip-up against Angola if they are to look ahead to Russia 2018 with confidence.
Mashaba has already been dealt a big squad blow, though, with Itumeleng Khune having been forced to withdraw from the squad with a knee injury that will require surgery.
Second-choice goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo is also unavailable due to a family commitment, meaning Mpumalanga Black Aces shot stopper Jackson Mabokgwane will stand between the sticks, with Wayne Sandilands and Ronwen Williams playing back-up.
Mabokgwane has been entrusted with the captaincy as well.
Bafana Bafana XI: Jackson Mabokgwane (captain), Anele Ngcongca, Thabo Matlaba, Rivaldo Coetzee, Erick Mathoho, Mandla Masango, Bongani Zungu, Andile Jali, Thulani Serero, Thami Gabuza, Tokelo Rantie.
Substitutes: Ronwen Williams, Wayne Sandilands, Siya Nhlapo, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Clayton Daniels, Dean Furman, Kamo Mokotjo, George Lebese, Mpho Makola, Thema Zwane, Dino Ndlovu, Sibusiso Vilakazi.
