South Africa

South Africa represents potentially the weakest team ever to host the World Cup. Saying that, they have been handed a group that they will be hopeful of escaping.

South Africa's build up has been far from ideal. There have been managerial changes. Current coach Carlos Alberto Parreira initially left his position for a year and then came back in late 2009 when Joel Santana was dismissed. The two time coach of Brazil has been an inspiring influence on Bafana Bafana in his time there, only leaving due to the ill health of his wife.

Whether his presence will be enough to get South Africa through to the second round is still under question. More important than any manager is the quality of the players that he has to work with, and their squad is mostly home based, which is not a good sign. If this team is to be competitive come June, the players are going to have to produce miraculous unprecedented performances.

Last years showing in the Confederations Cup has been the barometer by which this side is judged. A 1-0 semi final defeat to Brazil appears to be an admirable result but that masks their true standing. Bafana Bafana came through their group by beating Iraq, drawing 0-0 with New Zealand and losing to Spain. In addition, South Africa failed to even qualify for this years Nations Cup in Angola.

Currently ranked 90th in the world, they are the second lowest ranked team playing in the World Cup.

SCHEDULE

Mexico     11th June- Johannesburg

Uruguay   16th June- Pretoria

France     22nd June- Bleomfontein

Considering the opposition, South Africa have been placed in an unpredictable group. All three sides are inconsistent to say the least but they all have superior players than Bafana Bafana. If the host nation have any hope of avoiding the anonymity of becoming the first host nation to experience an early exit, four points will be a minimum. The Mexico represents their best chance of three points, primarily because it is their first game. The element of surprise, as well as home advantage will be exploited to the max. There will be a weight of expectation and the atmosphere and passionate local support will play a major factor in getting South Africa past the group stage.

KEY PLAYERS

South Africa's best player is unquestionably Everton midfielder Stephen Pienaar. The former Ajax and Borussia Dortmund player is vastly experience, as well as an extremely talented individual. His ability to pass the ball quickly and beat players will be essential to any chance his team have.

Captain Aaron Makoena will need to call on all his European experience to inspire his team mates. The Portsmouth midfielder will sit in the centre of the pitch in front of his back four. His main role on the pitch Will be to give the ball to Pienaar, but his importance will also extend to off the pitch.

Few of Parreira's squad are plying their trade in European leagues, but a couple of players ave been picking up medals. Macbeth Sibaya has won the Russian championship twice in succession with Rubin Kazan and Bernard Parker has just picked up an Eredivisie winners medal with FC Twente, although appearances were sporadic.

The most important inclusion in the squad might just be record goal scorer Benni McCarthy. The West Ham striker has not featured for the national team since 2008. He has scored 32 goals in 78 games for his country. Adding to that tally will be very helpful to his teams cause this summer.

ONE TO WATCH- Stephen Pienaar

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

One gets the impression that qualifying to the second round would represent an amazing achievement. If they somehow manage a second place finish Argentina may be waiting for them. A quarter final therefore would be a miracle, but the country would be proud with a respectable last 16 finish.

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

There is a fear that the team may be embarrassed on home soil. The ultimate disaster would be to exit the competition without making any impression on the tournament, not scoring a goal and losing all three of their games. Such a scenario would be sad for the tournament and for the hosts who have invested to much energy into putting on a show for the world.

PREDICTION...

Realistically, the final outcome will be somewhere in between. South Africa might not escape from their group but they will be up a real fight in all three games. Being competitive is all that is asked. If Bafana Bafana can go into their final group game with France with a second round place at take, they will have achieved respectability at least.