Squad details correct up to and including South Africa's match against Jamiaca on 30 April 2003.

Diary

Monday, 14 April 2003 - Former captain Lucas Radebe is to retire from international football at the end of the season. Radebe has been omitted from coach Ephraim Mashaba's plans after injury forced him to miss recent games and the Leeds United defender said he would formally end his 69-cap South Africa career at the end of his club's premier league season. Radebe told reporters in Leeds: "I have played for 10 years for South Africa. I think I have done not enough, but as much as I can. I think now it's crucial for me that next season I focus more on the club than the national team. This summer when I go home I will be announcing my decision and hopefully it will go well with the people back home." Radebe, who led his country in the World Cup finals in Japan and Korea Republic last summer, has one year left on his contract at Elland Road and after 10 years service to the club has been granted a testimonial next season.

Monday, 12 May 2003 - Steven Pienaar will miss his country's international against England next week because of club commitments.

Thursday, 15 May 2003 - Ephraim Mashaba has resisted the temptation to recall several star players for the international friendly against England on May 22.  The squad of 24 is made up almost exclusively of home-based players, with no place for Leeds' Lucas Radebe, Manchester United's Quinton Fortune and Charlton's Shaun Bartlett.  Radebe and Bartlett, along with Celta Vigo striker Benni McCarthy, have been omitted from recent squads after falling out with the South African Football Association, while Fortune also fell foul of the authorities for pulling out of last month's friendly against Jamaica.  The absences mean six uncapped players have been called-up. They are Moeneeb Josephs, Tyren Arendse, Benson Mhlongo, Jabulani Mendu, David Radebe and Carlo Scott.
FC Copenhagen have refused to release their striker Sibusiso Zuma. The South African FA made a special request to the club for 27-year-old Zuma to be allowed to travel to the match in Durban. However, two days later, FCK, who are battling for the Danish title, face an important league match against FC Midtjylland and for this reason the club are unwilling to let their star player go.

Sunday, 18 May 2003 - South Africa have appointed their World Cup coach Jomo Sono to take charge of the friendly international against England. Sono replaces Ephraim Mashaba who has been sidelined after refusing to include several foreign-based players in his squad for the game in Durban.
An extended squad was named just hours after Jomo Sono was appointed. Safa officials have said the fiery Mashaba would remain as South African coach but would play no part in Thursday's friendly.  The new squad features twelve players who went to the World Cup finals with Sono last year. Radabe will captain the side.

Thursday, 22 May 2003 - Although chosen by Jomo Sono, Quinton Fortune could not be contacted by the Safa and consequently misses out on playing against England.

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CG