Tylon Smith Thrives in Bafana Bafana Environment

Bafana Bafana defender Tylon Smith finds camaraderie in national team

Young defender Tylon Smith has shared his gratitude for the warm reception he has received from his Bafana Bafana teammates, notably forming a friendship with Oswin Appollis, after joining the national team camp in Pretoria this week.

The 20-year-old was selected in coach Hugo Broos' 25-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, marking his debut with the senior national team following a successful stint with Amajita. Smith previously contributed to the South African U20 team's triumph in the U20 AFCON and their progression to the knockout stages of the U20 FIFA World Cup this year.

His achievements also include recognition as the 2024/25 DStv Diski Challenge Player of the Season and winning the Player of the Tournament award at the U20 AFCON. Smith ranks among the youngest in the current squad, alongside teammates Shandre Campbell and Mbekezeli Mbokazi, all under the age of 21.

“For me, the players really welcomed me nicely, and I’m close with Oswin Appollis,” said Smith. “The reason I’m close to him is that we both speak Afrikaans, as does Ronwen (Williams). I felt welcomed when I came here.”

Currently playing for Queens Park Rangers in England, Smith emphasized the importance of resilience in his career. “What I’ve learned is to never give up. I know I’m still young at 20, and switching from Stellenbosch to QPR was a massive move for me. I told myself to stay calm and do what is expected of me,” he stated.

With anticipation building, Smith's Bafana Bafana squad is set to kick off their AFCON campaign against Angola on December 22, followed by a match against Egypt on Boxing Day, concluding their Group B matches against Zimbabwe on December 29.