IDO LEKOTA
Bafana Bafana centre-back sensation Mbekezeli Mbokazi who is current at his post-World break in Durban – has apparently rewarded his outstanding performance at the world tournament with a new Toyota Hilux GR-Sport worth around R1.2 Million.
Videos of the 21-year-old Chicago Fire defender – who showed his ability to read the game like a veteran at the 2026 World Cup hosted in Canada, the US and Mexico –picking up the sleek black double cab has spread accross Intagram, Tik tok and X.
The vehicle carries an estimated R1.2 million and comes equipped with aggressive styling reinforced with aggressive styling, reinforced suspension, and GR performance tuning, placing it among the most coveted bakkies currently available on the South African market.
Hilux GR-Sport is a status-plus-practicality purchase signaling success. It fits South African tastes, and is still useful enough to drive daily or use when home. For a young footballer abroad, it can also be a piece of home — the kind of vehicle many South Africans associate with toughness, arrival, and success.
Mbokazi has also been using his downtime to connect with family, friends and home. He was reportedly recently seen in KwaMashu alongside Bafana Bafana midfielder Thalenthe Mbatha, with the pair making the most of their shared off-season before returning to their respective club commitments.
The 21-year-old has emerged as one of Bafana Bafana’s rising defenders, with his World Cup breakthrough coming after strong performances for both South Africa and his club side in Major League Soccer.
He got where he is through a fast but steady rise. Born in Hluhluwe in 2005, he developed from local football into senior professional football, earned his South Africa debut in May 2025, became a regular in the national-team back line, moved from Orlando Pirates to Chicago Fire ahead of the 2026 season, and then did enough to make South Africa’s 2026 World Cup squad. His reputation has been built on composure, physical defending, and the trust of coach Hugo Broos, who selected him for major fixtures and the World Cup roster.
NOTE: SEE BAFANA FEATURE IN PiE MAGAZINE.
