South Africa

All eyes will be on the hosts as they bid to defy their underdog status and progress to the knockout rounds on home turf.

Up against three teams with the combined pedigree of 38 World Cups behind them, South Africa will bank on home advantage, desire and the unsettling effect of their fans’ vuvuzela horns to see them progress in only their third appearance in the finals.

Known as the Bafana Bafana, or “The Boys” to their fans, South Africa go into their home World Cup as the second-lowest ranked team – currently sandwiched at 83rd between Belarus and China.

With the help of vuvuzela-blowing home crowds, Carlos Alberto Perreira’s team will hope star midfielder Steven Pienaar can fire them past the group stages of the tournament for the first time following failed attempts in 1998 and 2002.

They kick off their challenge on June 11 against Mexico at Soccer City – the Johannesburg stadium where they won their only Africa Cup of Nations title in 1996.

Goalkeepers:

Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United)

Defenders:

Matthew Booth, Siboniso Gaxa (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth), Anele Ngcongoa (Racing Genk), Siyabonga Sangweni (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates).

Midfielders:

Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham), Thanduyise Khuboni (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Steven Pienaar (Everton), MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs).

Forwards:

Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvete (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (FC Twente).