(Screengrab via X)

South Africa’s 2026 World Cup campaign got off to a nightmare start Thursday night, and the stunned reaction from a panel of former national team stars may have summed it up better than any post-match analysis could.

After South Africa fell 2-0 to Mexico in the tournament opener at a packed Mexico City Stadium, coverage by the country’s national broadcaster returned to the studio to find former South Africa internationals Benny McCarthy, Quinton Fortune, and Aaron Mokoena sitting in near-total silence.

With the reality of the defeat still sinking in, the trio appeared momentarily at a loss for words.

Even after the host tried to get the discussion underway with a straightforward question – “What went wrong this game?” – neither McCarthy nor Fortune immediately jumped in.

Instead, viewers were treated to several uncomfortable seconds of television that may have captured the mood more accurately for fans back home. The moment immediately went viral across the internet.

Unfortunately for South Africa, there was plenty to be speechless about.

Mexico took a 1-0 lead within the first 10 minutes, but after halftime, things went from bad to worse for South Africa when midfielder Yaya Sithole was slapped with a red card and sent off

And then, after Mexico scored a second time, Sithole’s teammate Themba Zwane was also ejected.

The defeat leaves South Africa facing some early pressure in Group A and without key players for crucial upcoming fixtures. Judging by the reaction in the studio, however, those concerns can wait for a moment.

Watch above via X.

The post WATCH: Soccer Panel’s Awkward Silence Goes Viral After Nightmare World Cup Opener Leaves Pundits Speechless first appeared on Mediaite.

Georgia Tech continues its strong run on the recruiting trail with a commitment from four-star wide receiver Bryan Porter.

The Bergen Catholic (N.J.) standout chose Brent Key and the Yellow Jackets over a lengthy list of Power Four programs, giving Georgia Tech another playmaker at a position of need and another recruiting win outside the Southeast.

Porter finished his recruitment with over 30 offers and picked Georgia Tech after an official visit that helped solidify his decision.

Porter first visited Georgia Tech during the spring and immediately connected with the coaching staff.

“It was really big,” he said of that trip. “I really messed with the coaches already, so I just wanted to see what it was going to be like.”

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That relationship continued to grow leading up to his official visit.

The weekend in Atlanta proved to be the difference.

“This visit had a big impact on how I felt about them,” Porter said. “I got to spend more time around the players and build on my relationships with the coaches. This time, I got a better feel for the locker room and the players I could be around.”

That experience reinforced what the staff had been telling him throughout the process.

When asked why Georgia Tech won out, Porter pointed to the people inside the program.

“It was my belief in Coach Godsey and the future plan they have for me,” Porter said. “Coach Key and Coach Williams have shown me love ever since I first met them. I have a great connection with the staff.”

The location also stood out.

For a prospect from New Jersey, Atlanta offered a different experience than many of the schools on his list.

“It’s beautiful,” he said. “The campus was beautiful, better than I expected. Being in Atlanta is good. I like the warm weather.”

Porter also likes the direction of the program under Key.

The Yellow Jackets continue building momentum on the field and recruiting trail, and Porter wants to help elevate the program even further.

“I just want to win,” Porter said. “They were doing really good last year, and I heard they need some help, so I just wanted to add on and show my commitment to. Hopefully be a big name at Georgia Tech and help them win.”

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Ex-NFL player Henry Ruggs was denied parole nearly five years after killing a woman in a car crash in Las Vegas, the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners ruled Friday.

Ruggs, a former first-round draft pick and Raiders wide receiver, drove his sports car at speeds up to 156 mph (251 kph) in the city on Nov. 2, 2021, slamming into a vehicle that killed driver Tina Tintor and her dog, Max. Tintor was 23.

Prosecutors at the time said his blood-alcohol level taken within the required two hours after the crash was 0.16%. Before the crash, he was at TopGolf, a sports entertainment venue in Las Vegas, according to prosecutors.

Ruggs pleaded guilty in May 2023 to felony DUI causing death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. He was sentenced in August 2023 to a three- to 10-year prison sentence.