South Africa advances to World Cup knockout stage: South Africa made history by reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time after a winning goal by Thapelo Maseko against South Korea.
Archived Pulse in South Africa
Country pulse digest
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Archived Pulse in South Africa
South African interest is sharply focused on historic World Cup soccer achievements, including Bafana Bafana reaching the knockout stage for the first time. Money-related searches such as SASSA payment schedules and smart banking ID rollouts show financial planning concerns.
Active topics
21
Search volume
348.2K
Leading topic
Sports
Attention mix
What the country is searching
21
Sports52% (11)
Money19% (4)
Politics10% (2)
Entertainment10% (2)
Life5% (1)
World5% (1)
Why people are curious
The primary intent behind South African searches is largely following, as evidenced by the dominant focus on international sports events, particularly around the FIFA World Cup 2026, where fans track live updates, match results, and team developments related to their national team and others. There is also strong planning intent reflected in queries about social grant payment dates, enabling citizens to manage their finances effectively. Additionally, buying intent emerges in entertainment-related searches for GTA 6 pre-orders. Some queries indicate debating and worrying intents, visible in political and economic topics such as the corruption plea deal and fuel price fluctuations.
What to know now
The pulse, explained
Mexico's clean sweep in World Cup Group A: Mexico won all group-stage matches in the 2026 World Cup, defeating the Czech Republic 3-0 amid controversy over anti-gay chants.
Morocco advances as Group C runners-up: Morocco defeated Haiti 4-2 to progress as Group C runners-up in the 2026 World Cup.
High interest in July 2026 SASSA grant dates: People are searching for the July 2026 SASSA grant payment dates to plan finances in South Africa.
Rollout of smart ID technology by South African banks: South African banks are rolling out smart ID technology, attracting strong public attention.
Ranked searches
What people are curious about in South Africa
The leading searches, their context, and the related questions forming around them.
01
PoliticsCooling
vusimuzi cat matlala
Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala is in the spotlight due to a plea deal in a major corruption case in South Africa.
1K+ searches · 800% growthLast seen 6 days ago
02
SportsCooling
south africa vs south korea
South Africa advanced to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time after a winning goal by Thapelo Maseko against South Korea.
200K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 6 days ago
bafana bafanathapelo masekomaseko
03
SportsCooling
czech republic national football team vs mexico national football team standings
Mexico won all three group-stage matches in the 2026 World Cup, defeating the Czech Republic 3-0 in their final game amidst a controversy involving anti-gay chants.
50K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 6 days ago
czechia vs mexicomexico
04
SportsCooling
morocco vs haiti
Morocco defeated Haiti 4-2 in a high-scoring match to progress as Group C runners-up at the 2026 World Cup.
20K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 6 days ago
morocco national football team vs haiti national football team standingsmorocco
05
MoneyCooling
july 2026 sassa grant dates
People are searching for the July 2026 SASSA grant payment dates in South Africa to plan their finances accordingly.
10K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 6 days ago
sassa payment dates for june 2026
06
MoneyCooling
sa banks smart id rollout
There is high interest in South African banks rolling out smart ID technology, with many following related news developments.
10K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 6 days ago
fnbsmart id
07
SportsCooling
mexico vs czechia
Fans are actively following Mexico's World Cup match against Czechia, including game highlights, live updates, and related incidents.
10K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 6 days ago
08
SportsCooling
bafana bafana vs canada
People are searching how to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between South Africa and Canada with interest in schedules and tickets.
10K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 6 days ago
south africa vs canadacanada vs south africa
09
SportsCooling
paraguay vs australia
Users are looking for live updates and information on the Paraguay versus Australia World Cup match and overall standings.
10K+ searches · 400% growthLast seen 6 days ago
fifa world cup standings
10
EntertainmentCooling
gta 6 price
Searches are focused on pre-ordering Grand Theft Auto VI, including pricing details, editions, and availability on platforms like PS5 Pro.
5K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 6 days ago
gta 6 pre order priceps5 progrand theft auto vi
11
SportsCooling
bosnia and herzegovina vs qatar
People are searching for information on the Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including predictions, lineups, and ways to watch the game online.
5K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 6 days ago
bosnia vs qatarbosnia vs qatar prediction
12
SportsCooling
canada vs switzerland
Searches focus on how to watch the Canada vs Switzerland match during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and on team performances and results in Group B.
5K+ searches · 1,000% growthLast seen 6 days ago
canada men's national soccer teamcanada results
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Why it matters
CoolingThis topic was last observed 6 days ago; its earlier momentum should now be read as historical, backed by 1K+ recorded searches. People are searching to follow a developing event.
Last seen 6 days agoConfidence: high
Reporting and context
Source coverage helping explain why this topic is moving.
‘Cat’ Matlala agrees to plea deal with NPA - EWN
NPA’s pursuit of a plea deal with Cat Matlala is a betrayal of accountability - Democratic Alliance
'Cat' Matlala turns state witness in R228m SAPS tender corruption case - eNCA
Matlala could serve 8 years in prison, turns State witness on SAPS members - Daily Maverick
NPA mum on Cat Matlala plea deal as Saps-Medicare24 tender case split - The Citizen
The wider weekly pattern
Curiosity trail
Related searches that led here, appeared alongside it, or followed.