Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams earned mass praise from big names and fans after his record-breaking performance against Cape Verde.
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What's the story?
Ronwen Williams' heroics in goal helped Bafana Bafana progress to the Semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast.
Williams won Man of the Match for making four saves in Bafana's penalty shoot-out win over Cape Verde, instantly making him a trending topic on social media.
Read: Top 3 Kits From AFCON's Final 8
Let's take a closer look at what Mzansi's biggest names and football fans had to say...
Ronwen Williams reaction
Bafana Bafana booked their sport in the semi-finals with a dramatic 2-1 penalty shoot-out victory over Cape Verde, where goalkeeper Ronwen Williams saved a tournament record four penalties.
Hugo Broos' men and the Blue Sharks played out a goalless draw in the initial 90 minutes and extra-time, seeing Williams and his defence keep four clean sheets in a row.
Williams showed true leadership in his post match interview and credited the incredible teamwork with the players, staff, coaches and analysts for his performance.
Williams' penalty shoot-out heroics also earned him a ton of praise on social media from former Bafana stars, his peers and other big pop culture figures like Cassper Nyovest, Sjava and Maps Maponyane.
Plenty of jokes started to fly around with some calling Williams the "Minister of Defence" while others stated that he could save South Africa's economy.
Scroll through the gallery to view snaps of Ronwen Williams during the penalty shoot-out:
Here are some of the best reactions to Williams' performance:
Not normal!!!!!
— Dean Furman (@de4no22) February 3, 2024
??????RONWEN WILLIAMS??????
This was a once in a lifetime experience. 4 penalties saved, guessed the right way on all 5. You're never going to see anything like that again. Unbelievable performance. https://t.co/YipQP6oYac
— Lesilo Rula ???? (@kay_mahapa) February 4, 2024
RONWEN WILLIAMS ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
— Solomzi Thandubuntu (@Solphendukaa) February 3, 2024
WE ARE IN THE SEMI FINALS OF THE AFCON!!!! ?????? The country is not sleeping tonight. Ronwen Williams. Our hero. ?? Thank you boys. Bafana Bafana have reached their first AFCON semi final in 24 years. ???? Ronwen Williams also became just the second goalkeeper after Andre… pic.twitter.com/0vB3DvkC0A
— Toko Masemola (@TokoMasemola) February 4, 2024
.@BafanaBafana off to the Semi Finals ??????
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) February 3, 2024
Ronwen Williams is the G.O.A.T!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! pic.twitter.com/Hjqea6ESwO
Ronwen Williams penalty highlights pic.twitter.com/RP5mBDf8RW
— ?? (@Gideoomatic) February 3, 2024
Economists: "South Africans don't know how to save"
— SvH ?? (@SandilevHeerden) February 4, 2024
Ronwen Williams: ... pic.twitter.com/UGEu8jTCGo
I don't think I have ever seen a keeper save 4 penalties in my life. That was insane. Williams! What a legend!
— Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) February 3, 2024
What a beast! pic.twitter.com/9yfHvI3AEO
— Siv Ngesi (@iamSivN) February 3, 2024
Give @ronwen30 his flowers. That was a Man of the Match performance. Four (4) penalty saves and crucial saves isn't mean fate. Good to see that he trusted his instincts. ???? pic.twitter.com/AfDkLFjrUe
— Dennis Onyango ???? (@masindeonyango) February 4, 2024
Absolutely Brilliant Brother. ??@ronwen30 ?? pic.twitter.com/hhVHS9YEdc
— Darren Keet (@popeyekeet) February 3, 2024
Ronwen Williams. That's it, that's my tweet ?????????? pic.twitter.com/4UY4dduuIk
— ??????????????. (@kamogeloteffo_) February 3, 2024
Can we get a STATUE of RONWEN WILLIAMS in the next 48hrs #AFCON2024 #BafanaBafana pic.twitter.com/xiLVJsSxBU
— Roboto x3 (@Robot_Boii) February 3, 2024
Tonight, you wrote your name in the history books and in our hearts !!! Legend!! First time in 15 years!!! We are going to the CAF semi finals cause of this man!!! Ronwen Williams!!! Thank you!! pic.twitter.com/ymKbmRmucy
— Don Billiato (@casspernyovest) February 3, 2024
If we're being honest pic.twitter.com/uvAsW9xyGy
— Swiss ?????? (@BlxckSwiss_) February 3, 2024
Never in the history a keeper had saved 4 penalties in a shootout in either the World Cup, or namely AFCON, EURO, or Copa America. ??
— Joseph Bertrand (@JoBertrand19) February 3, 2024
Never until... Ronwen Williams on 3 Feb 2024 ???????? pic.twitter.com/1sickHPBsT
4 penalty saves! Ronwen Williams I will never forget you!
— Kooks (@Kookie_Kuhle) February 3, 2024
A NATIONAL HERO?????????????????????????? Ronwen Williams. pic.twitter.com/KwJ6ZLSlUj
— Thando Thabethe (@Thando_Thabethe) February 3, 2024
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