What does South Africa's path in the World Cup knockout rounds look like so far?

[p]The permutations are endless at this stage, but things are starting to take shape and paths are being laid for the knockout rounds.[/p][p]Much can change between now and the end of the pool phase, but it is interesting to see where Bafana would be if things finish as they are.[/p][p]A win against the Koreans would see Bafana finish second in the pool unless the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/czech-republic/6LHwBDGU/"]Czech Republic[/a] can pull off a surprise win against already-qualified [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/mexico/O6iHcNkd/"]Mexico[/a] in Mexico City.[/p][p]If Bafana draw, they would then need the Czechs to lose to finish above them in the table on goal difference.[/p][p]Two points will probably not be enough to finish as one of the best third-placed sides, but you never know …[/p][embed guid="083eac24-677f-4d4c-8ade-981d960fb39c" url="https://x.com/BafanaBafana/status/2067671228001787936?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]If Bafana finished second, then as things stand their round of 32 opponents would be [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/switzerland/rHJ2vy1B/"]Switzerland[/a].[/p][p]They would then meet the winner of the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/netherlands/WYintcWb/"]Netherlands[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/morocco/IDKYO3R8/"]Morocco[/a] in the round of 16, should they progress from that tie.[/p][p]Intriguingly, in this moment it appears better to finish third in the pool as that would set up a round of 32 clash with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/egypt/bejDn7NN/"]Egypt[/a], difficult but one where Bafana would fancy their chances, having upset the Pharaohs in the past and played them in the recent Africa Cup of Nations.[/p][p]The winner of that tie would advance to a round of 16 clash with co-hosts [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/usa/fuitL4CF/"]United States[/a] or [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ecuador/8tbm8Tri/"]Ecuador[/a].[/p][p]The former have been in good form in the tournament so far, but Bafana would view either as beatable on their day.[/p][embed guid="57f268af-49c1-440e-91d2-59669f9ecbee" url="https://x.com/BafanaBafana/status/2067669961871405560?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]The equations are likely to change as the final pool matches are played, and Bafana have a job to do first against the Koreans, but the path into the knockout stages for now does not look as daunting as it might have.[/p]