South Africa are unbeaten in six meetings with Egypt, winning four of them, dating back almost two decades.
This includes a shock 1-0 victory in the round of 16 at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, with Bafana Bafana knocking out the hosts in Cairo.
Egypt vs South Africa preview
These two teams are both World Cup-bound and are Group B's obvious front-runners, so who will claim a statement victory at Grand Stade d'Agadir on Friday afternoon?
Back on Monday night, Egypt did make a winning start to their Africa Cup of Nations campaign, albeit only just. The Pharaohs went a goal down to minnows Zimbabwe, with Omar Marmoush equalising from an acute angle on the hour mark, before Mohamed Salah fired in a dramatic injury time winner.
Egypt are the record seven-times winners of this competition, albeit they have not got their hands on this trophy since clinching an unprecedented three-peat in 2010. Since then, they have been defeated in two finals, beaten by Cameroon in 2017 and Senegal on penalties in 2022, before a disastrous exit in the round of 16 at last year's edition, ousted in a shootout by DR Congo in San Pédro. So, Hossam Hassan's side are under enormous pressure to go all the way in Morocco, but will the Pharaohs put in an improved performance in this clash?
South Africa meantime have only been AFCON champions once, capturing the trophy on home soil as debutants in 1996, but many are tipping them to make a deep run again, having reached the semi-finals last year, their run ended by Nigeria in Bouaké after a penalty shootout.
Bafana Bafana began this campaign by beating Angola 2-1 in Marrakesh, with Oswin Appollis breaking the deadlock, before Lyle Foster scored the winner 11 minutes from time. Hugo Broos' side are now unbeaten in ten outings, booking their place at next summer's World Cup during this period, so cannot be taken likely. Here, this Boxing Day clash in Agādīr could very much go either way.
Egypt vs South Africa head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 14.
- Egypt Wins: 4. Draws: 2. South Africa Wins: 8.
Egypt team news
Under pressure manager Hossam Hassan deployed all of his big guns against Zimbabwe on Monday, choosing to start Trézéguet as part of his attack.
After Emam Ashour was replaced in the first half of that one, Mostafa Mohamed could start this time, with Ahmed Abou El Fotouh coming in for the injured Mohamed Hamdy.
Egypt predicted lineup vs South Africa: (4-3-3): El Shenawy; Hany, Ibrahim, Abdelmaguid, El Fotouh; Fathy, Attia, Ashour; Salah, Trézéguet, Marmoush.
Egypt player to watch vs South Africa
Captain Mohamed Salah bagged his 66th international goals earlier this week, netting against 31 different national teams, so can he add South Africa to this list?
South Africa team news
Hugo Broos hooked Mohau Nkota at half time against Angola, replaced by Tshepang Moremi, with the latter expected to come into the lineup this time.
Captain Ronwen Williams was Bafana Bafana's hero at the most-recent Africa Cup of Nations, famously saving four spot-kick during the quarter-final shootout win over Cape Verde, and they'll need him to be at his best here too.
South Africa predicted lineup vs Egypt: (4-3-3): Williams; Mudau, Ngezana, Mbokazi, Modiba; Sithole, Mokoena, Moremi; Mbule, Appollis, Foster.
South Africa player to watch vs Egypt
Lyle Foster of Burnley is a rare member of this squad who does not play his football in the South African league, scoring his ninth goal for Bafana Bafana on Monday, so can he add to his tally?
Egypt vs South Africa prediction
These two African powerhouses are pretty evenly matched, hence why we're forecasting a low-scoring draw at Grand Stade d'Agadir that would see both progress: Egypt 1-1 South Africa.
Egypt vs South Africa FAQs - Africa Cup of Nations
How to watch Egypt vs South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations on TV channel?
Egypt vs South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Channel 4
- USA: beIN SPORTS, fuboTV & Fanatiz USA
- Canada: beIN Sports Canada, fuboTV Canada & Fanatiz Canada
How to watch Egypt vs South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations on live streaming?
Egypt vs South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Channel4.com & Channel 4 Sport YouTube
- USA: beIN SPORTS CONNECT & fuboTV
- Canada: beIN SPORTS CONNECT Canada & fuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Egypt vs South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations?
Egypt vs South Africa takes place on Boxing Day, Friday 26 December 2025, with kick off at 15:00 (GMT), 10:00 (ET) & 7:00 (PT).