As South Africa prepares for their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 showdown against Canada, all eyes may be on the attackers, but the player who could decide its fate stands between the posts.

Captain Ronwen Williams has built a reputation as one of football's finest penalty specialists, and if Sunday's knockout clash stretches to a shootout, the experienced goalkeeper could once again become South Africa's biggest match-winner.

The 34-year-old has repeatedly delivered under the highest pressure for both club and country. His most remarkable display came during the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, when he saved four penalties in a single shootout against Cape Verde in the quarter-finals to send South Africa into the last four. He followed that with two more saves in the third-place playoff shootout against DR Congo, helping his side secure the bronze medal while earning the tournament's Best Goalkeeper award and a Ballon d'Or nomination.

Williams says his success from the penalty spot is no accident but the result of meticulous preparation.

"You need to be a student of the game, that's what I've learnt over the years," said Williams as quoted by Reuters.

Preparation begins long before matchday. Williams revealed that South Africa's analysts compile extensive footage of opposition penalty takers, allowing him to study their habits and preferred shooting patterns.

"They send me so many clips, my phone is full. It's not easy to get footage of some of the players because they play all over the world," he said.

But research is only part of the equation. Williams also relies on psychological tactics to unsettle opponents before they strike the ball.

The South African skipper admitted he deliberately moves along the goal line, waves his arms and tries to distract penalty takers, forcing them to second-guess their decisions. Since players know goalkeepers analyse their tendencies, he believes creating doubt can be just as important as making the save.

"You just try to mess with their mind a bit and make them indecisive. Players know that we are studying them as well. The goal is so big that players are supposed to score, so we have to do everything we can to make it seem smaller," he added.

With South Africa entering the knockout stage for the first time in years, Williams' experience and penalty-saving reputation could prove decisive. If the clash against Canada cannot be settled in 90 or even 120 minutes, South Africa will be counting on their captain to once again deliver when the pressure is at its highest.