There is much riding on the clash – history, national pride, solidarity payments to Premier Soccer League clubs that would add millions to their coffers with seven more days at the tournament, and changing perceptions of South African football following the disastrous opening encounter against Mexico.
For coach Hugo Broos it could be a last game in charge, but it is also a South African record 59th time he will be in the dugout for the national team.
He has some big decisions to make for what is arguably the biggest game in the country’s history after the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations final, with either the Netherlands or Morocco waiting in the next round in Houston.
Here are five things he will have to consider for the match.
Who drops out for Mokoena?
Teboho Mokoena was suspended for the victory over South Korea but is sure to come back into the team for this one, such is his importance to the side.
You would think Yaya Sithole will keep his place as the anchor in front of the back four as he was superb against the Koreans, perhaps his best showing in a Bafana shirt.
Does Mokoena come in for Thalente Mbatha, who also had a fine match and would be unlucky to be replaced, but is perhaps the most natural like-for-like change?
Or do those two stay in the team and Mokoena comes in for Relebohile Mofokeng and plays in a more advanced role?
That would certainly be harsh on Mofokeng, who was excellent, but would perhaps give the midfield more defensive solidity.
Evidence stays?
The other big question is whether tall striker Evidence Makgopa keeps his place up front.
The game against the Koreans showed both his strengths and his weaknesses.
He was good in the air, winning headers as Bafana Bafana went long with their passes and played a more direct style, allowing the team to pick up the second ball and drive forward.
But he also had two big chances in the game, one with his head and the other a point-blank shot that he fired straight at the goalkeeper.
He is probably the weakest finisher of the three strikers in the squad, with both Lyle Foster and Iqraam Rayners better goal-poachers.
But neither can quite give what he does in the air, which suits Bafana if they are to go long.
Keeping Appollis
Oswin Appollis has perhaps not had the impact he would have hoped in the tournament so far.
He has not been poor after starting the last two games, far from it, but has struggled to beat defenders and drifted in and out of the game.
Thapelo Maseko has been a revelation on the right wing and might have had a hat-trick against the Koreans. He has looked Bafana’s most threatening attacking player.
But he is perhaps best coming from the left, which is his more natural position, rather than having to cut inside every time on the right.
Does Broos switch him to his natural side and play Appollis on the right, or have Tshepang Moremi come in for his Orlando Pirates teammate to play on the right, though he is also more adept on the left?
The most likely answer is Broos sticks with the game plan against Korea, but he has options.
Fighting fatigue
Bafana played on Wednesday (Mexico time) and go again on Sunday, with travel a nuisance and taking away training time.
Canada were also in action on Wednesday as they lost 2-1 to Switzerland, which saw them finish second in their pool.
It is a tight turnaround for both teams, but it is not only about physical fatigue, it is also the mental aspect.
Bafana were on such a high after their win over Korea that it is sometimes hard to find those same levels again. They have to make sure that was not their ‘final’.
Coming from a loss, Canada will perhaps feel they have more to prove.
Balanced tactics
Both teams come into this game believing this is a very winnable match-up, but for Bafana there is a balance to be had.
They will know they can beat this Canadian side and, like South Korea, will want to be on the front foot, but without a gung-ho approach that leaves them exposed at the back.
Also, it is unlikely that Canada will be as passive as the Koreans were, the latter’s performance so unbelievably meek until it mattered that it should be studied.
But there is no doubt this Bafana side is better when it tries to ‘play’. That sounds obvious, but for some teams containment is a strength.
That is not really true of Bafana. For them the best form of defence is attack, but it has to be measured. That is the balance they seek.