Siphiwe Tshabalala was brought into the national set-up by former Bafana Bafana coach Ted Dumitru when he was still just 20 years old, and was subsequently among the select group of players touted as South Africa's ‘dream team' for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

Tshabalala's first steps on the footballing ladder were taken at Kaizer Chiefs' well-respected youth development system, before leaving the Chiefs' ranks to join Free State Stars. After receiving a senior national call-up just eight months into his professional football career, the speedy winger made two appearances during the 2006 CAF African Cup of Nations. He also appeared for South Africa at the 2008 African Cup of Nations in Ghana and has been something of a revelation in the Bafana Bafana jersey.