In a remarkable upset, South Africa claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Korea, securing second place in Group A and a much-anticipated spot in the knockout stage against Canada this Sunday in Los Angeles.

This achievement is monumental for the team, marking their first progression beyond the group stage in four attempts. The shadow of the 2010 tournament still looms large, when they became the first host nation to exit without advancing.

That bitter disappointment was a tough hurdle to overcome, but the triumph this year has been met with ecstatic joy and relief throughout the nation.

Even though the match kicked off at 3 a.m. South African time, dedicated supporters of all ages filled the streets of Soweto and beyond, proudly wearing nightgowns and pyjamas to celebrate as the final whistle echoed.

South Africans are well-versed in the thrill of sporting victories. The Springboks have clinched the Rugby World Cup title four times, while the national cricket team boasts the Test World Championship mace.

Yet, football resonates even more profoundly within the heart of the nation, given its universal appeal, despite Bafana Bafana's ongoing struggles to achieve international success since lifting the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in 1996.

"I could hear the celebrations from my neighbours when Bafana scored, and that was enough to tell me how many people stayed up to watch," reflected respected South African journalist Lorenz Kohler in an interview with Reuters from Johannesburg.

"I believe this is the best we have seen Bafana play in many years, and the celebrations are a release of pent-up frustration and passion. People were going wild.

"I genuinely feel this is a moment that will be etched in our memories, and it will shine a spotlight on the incredible talent we have in the country. There is a larger narrative beyond the World Cup."

Social media buzzed with excitement as celebrities joined the festivities, with comedian Trevor Noah sharing a jubilant video of his celebration and captioning it: "We made history!"

Former South African international striker Marks Maponyane perfectly captured the national sentiment on Instagram, stating: "It’s going to be a loooong day, South Africa, but it is worth every single yawn."