Question: when did south africa win the african cup of nations
Answer: South Africa Nickname ( s ) Bafana Bafana ( `` The Boys , The Boys '' / Zulu : `` Go boys ! Go boys ! '' ) Association South African Football Association Confederation CAF ( Africa ) Sub-confederation COSAFA ( Southern Africa ) Head coach Stuart Baxter Captain Thulani Hlatshwayo Most caps Aaron Mokoena ( 107 ) Top scorer Benni McCarthy ( 31 ) Home stadium Various FIFA code RSA First colours Second colours FIFA ranking Current 73 ( 25 October 2018 ) Highest 16 ( August 1996 ) Lowest 124 ( December 1992 ) Elo ranking Current 68 1 ( 29 July 2018 ) Highest 21 ( 9 ) ( September 1996 ( October 1955 ) ) Lowest 94 ( May 2006 ) First international Ireland 1 -- 2 South Africa ( Belfast , Northern Ireland ; 24 September 1924 ) Biggest win Australia 0 -- 8 South Africa ( Adelaide , Australia ; 17 September 1955 ) Biggest defeat South Africa 0 -- 5 Brazil ( Johannesburg , South Africa ; 5 March 2014 ) World Cup Appearances 3 ( first in 1998 ) Best result Group stage , 1998 , 2002 and 2010