Their record has been a positive one, but inevitably there has also been some deep disappointment along the way.
As they prepare to face Cameroon in the Round of 16 at the 2025 edition in Morocco on Sunday, we look back at those five shoot-outs and what happened in them.
2000 AFCON – Third-Place Play-Off
South Africa won 4-3 on penalties
Bafana Bafana faced off against Tunisia in the third-place play-off 26 years ago and twice led in the game thanks to goals from Shaun Bartlett and Siyabonga Nomvethe. However, Ali Zitouni’s brace, including an 89th-minute equaliser, took the game to a shoot-out.
Andre Arendse was in goal for South Africa and, after Sirajeddine Chihi missed the first kick for the Tunisians, the goalkeeper saved their second from Ziad Jaziri.
The problem for Bafana was that Bartlett and Pollen Ndlanya missed two of their first three spot-kicks as well, but when Arendse saved from Zitouni, the door was opened for Alex Bapela to slot the winning kick.
2013 AFCON – Quarter-final
Mali won 3-1 on penalties
South Africa hosted the Cup of Nations in 2013 but did not advance past the quarter-final stage after losing on spot-kicks to Mali following a 1-1 draw.
Tokelo Rantie had Bafana in front, but Mali talisman Seydou Keita equalised just before the hour mark and penalties were required.
Siphiwe Tshabalala scored South Africa’s first kick in Durban, but Dean Furman, May Mahlangu and Lehlohonolo Majoro all failed to convert, while Mali slotted theirs past Itumeleng Khune, needing just three spot-kicks to seal the win.
Cape Verde 0-0 South Africa
2023 AFCON – Quarter-final
South Africa won 2-1 on penalties
The first of three shoot-outs in a row two years ago saw South Africa claim a 2-1 win over Cape Verde, with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams emerging as the hero.
The game was a lifeless 0-0 draw in Yamoussoukro, but came to life in extraordinary fashion. Williams saved four penalties, a record in a shoot-out at a major international competition, keeping out Cape Verde’s first three efforts from Bebe, Willy Semedo and Laros Duarte.
Zakhele Lepasa and Aubrey Modiba also missed for South Africa, keeping their opponents in the hunt. Bryan Teixeira netted Cape Verde’s fourth kick, but when Williams saved again from Erickson Andrade, the shoot-out was over. Teboho Mokoena and Mothobi Mvala had converted for South Africa.
2023 AFCON – Semi-final
Nigeria won 4-2 on penalties
South Africa were denied a place in the final two years ago after Nigeria edged them on spot-kicks following a 1-1 draw.
William Troost-Ekong had put Nigeria ahead from the penalty spot in the match, before Mokoena equalised with a South African penalty in a game that had already seen drama from 12 yards.
Khuliso Mudau had a golden chance to win it for Bafana right at the death but missed, and they would pay the price in the shoot-out. Mokoena missed South Africa’s first spot-kick and Evidence Makgopa also could not convert, as Nigeria won 4-2 despite Williams saving from Ola Aina.
Mihlali Mayambela and Mvala did convert for South Africa.
2023 AFCON – Third-Place Play-Off
South Africa won 6-5 on penalties
The bronze medal clash at the 2023 edition finished goalless and, for the third time in as many matches, Bafana faced a penalty shoot-out.
Mokoena again missed the first kick, but South Africa scored their next six as Williams proved the hero once more. He saved efforts from Chancel Mbemba and Meschak Elia to secure victory.
For the record, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Thabang Monare, Modiba, Lepasa, Oswin Appollis and Siyanda Xulu all converted for Bafana.