Jayden Adams has vowed to continue working hard after being called up to the Bafana Bafana squad for this month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda.

South Africa national team coach Hugo Broos has named Stellenbosch FC midfielder Jayden Adams as one of the 23 players in his final squad to take on Rwanda and Benin in the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers later this month.

Adams’ call-up sees him return to the national team fold for the first time since July 2022 when he represented the country at the COSAFA Cup competition in Durban, winning three caps in the process as Bafana Bafana went on to win the Plate Final.

“I was very excited when I heard the news because I didn’t expect it, but now that I am in the team it doesn’t stop here, I just have to continue to work hard,” Adams said.

“I played for Bafana Bafana before at the COSAFA Cup and that experience will help, but this is a different level, a more senior level, because that side was mainly an U-23 team. It would be great to play, and perhaps start, so I just need to work hard and see what happens.”

Born and bred in Stellenbosch, the 22-year-old is the club’s only representative in the latest South Africa squad but he is hopeful that his inclusion might inspire other youngsters from the town to similarly pursue their dreams.

“I hope it can inspire others to see that if you work hard and never give up, then anything is possible,” he concluded.

South Africa will play host to Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday, 18 November 2023, before traveling to East-Central Africa to face Rwanda three days later on Tuesday, 21 November 2023.