Lucas Thwala

(Orlando Pirates)

‘Mnaka’ had been so consistent with his performances at Pirates that omitting him from the squad would have been an injustice. He had been with The Buccaneers for all of his professional career but with his consistent injury struggles, game time became scarce and he was then loaned out to Platinum Stars in January 2012. After the six months that he spent away at Dikwena, he then moved on to spend a season at SuperSport United but injury struck again and immediately forced him to call time on his career just prior to his 32nd birthday. Thwala started the World Cup opener against Mexico and earned 26 caps. Since his retirement has been involved in some community upliftment projects.