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No host nation of
the World Cup has crashed out in the group stages of the competition.
That is the record South Africa will be having in mind as they play
their second match of the World Cup against South American opponent,
Uruguay, later today.

The match billed for Tshwane/Pretoria stadium is a must win for both sides to stand any chance of progressing from Group A.

Pretoria fortress

Coincidentally,
South Africa is unbeaten in the last five matches played in the City of
Pretoria before the 2010 FIFA World Cup, with three victories and two
draws from their games.

However, the Bafana
Bafana have not beaten Uruguay in the two previous meetings between the
senior national teams. In 1997, the South Americans edged a 4-3 victory
in the FIFA Confederation Cup with a 90th minute goal by Christian
Callejas.

Subsequently, the
two-sides ground out a goal-less draw in a friendly match played out at
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, last year.

For the records
also, South American sides are yet to beat a host nation during the
first round of the FIFA World Cup. In 1966, Uruguay were held to a 0-0
draw by host and eventual champions England, while 1994 host, USA, were
2-1 winners over Colombia, and last edition’s host, Germany also
pounded Ecuador 3-0 in the group stages.

Crunch battle

Carlos Alberto
Parreira’s South Africa will definitely face a tough task against
Uruguay. In their opening game against France, the Uruguayans showed
that they possess the ability to contain teams and launch dangerous
counter-attacks.

Tabarez has hinted that against South Africa, they will be more adventurous compared to that safety-first approach.

Uruguay have been
preparing in Kimberley, a town famous for the surrounding gold mines,
but it is goals that Uruguay want after their stalemate with France,
hence, Tabarez’s decision to go with an extra striker in Edinson Cavani.

The South Africans
too want to improve on their finishing after the 1-1 draw with Mexico,
where striker Katlego Mphela missed a glorious chance in the dying
moments, watching in agony as his shot shaved the upright.

Fans to cheer

South Africa gave
their millions of home supporters cause for optimism with their opening
display against Mexico. When pressed against the ropes in the first 20
minutes, they were able to absorb the pressure and, having overcome the
stage fright that gripped them early on, found a head of steam in the
second half. It was a performance that served notice that the hosts
should not be taken lightly and the fact that they were less than 10
minutes from victory against an organised and polished Mexican side,
earned them rave reviews.

Thousands of vuvuzela-tooting supporters will be on hand at Loftus
Versfeld, the same pitch where Ghana beat Serbia 1-0 on Sunday, hoping
to make a little piece of history as the first African side to win a
World Cup finals match in Africa.