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With all four teams locked at a point each in Group A, every fixture in the group has an added incentive and greater significance attached to it. In Game 17, hosts South Africa and South American giants Uruguay lock horns at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Wednesday 16th June. In a match that could be dubbed as a potential 6 pointer,  the victor will be all but sure of a ticket to the last 16. Both teams are coming off inspiring draws, which saw them compete with their opponents despite the ‘underdog' tag around their necks, while also setting the tone for this first ever FIFA World Cup on African soil. Both the Charruas and Bafana Bafana will look to bulldoze their way through this game and come out as odds on favourites to qualify and one hopes that that is the attitude with which the teams turn out as it will make for a stellar game for all us neutrals.

(Click here for the Match Report)

South Africa

The hosts began with a rather defensive set-up against Mexico with the plan of hitting them on the break after soaking up the pressure from a team undoubtedly more skillful on the ball. The tactic could have backfired had El Tri not been so wasteful in front of goal in the first half. The South Africans made them pay with a stunner from Siphiwe Tshabalala early in the second half. Despite the goal, Bafana Bafana seemed to lack a certain cutting edge in midfield as often brilliant counter attacking plays would break down owing to poor distribution to the flanks from the middle of the park.

In Katlego Mphela South Africa have a notorious goal poaching forward and though he didn't have too many opportunities against the Mexicans he will certainly be a consistent name on the team sheet. Steven Pienaar was expected to set the stage alight, but the Everton midfielder was probably too overwhelmed by the big stage and didn't get on the ball as much as he would have liked. South Africa's defence handled pressure extremely well against Mexico but one wonders whether they will be able to withstand the storm that Diego Forlan brings about wherever he goes.

Carlos Alberto Parreira is probably something of an 'Guardian Angel' at the helm of the host nation as his tactics seem to be on the money. His presence on the bench brings about a great sense of confidence in the team and one wouldn't be surprised if the legendary coach takes them into unknown waters later on this month. The South Africans played a 4-5-1 against Mexico and one could see them sticking with it against the talented Uruguayans. Bafana Bafana will have a galore of fans acting as 12th man in this game as well and one feels that they do have the team to cash in on this advantage, the men in yellow and green seem to be reveling in the limelight and one hopes that the hosts make the whole continent proud with their performance. (Detailed South Africa Team Preview)

Uruguay

The Charruas were part of a dull goalless draw when they took on France in Match 2 of the World Cup in Cape Town. Both teams gave possession away too cheaply, the chances created were few and far between and some really good yet rare opportunities were spurned. The South Americans went down to 10 men with slightly under 10 minutes left to play but held their nerve as Les Blues laid siege to the Uruguayan goal. "Bearing in mind what happened in the game and that France, a recent world champion who are very well organised and prepared, I think it is not a bad result, bearing all this in mind," coach OscarTabarez said. But one could also add that beating France isn't as improbable as it once was even though the galore of talent in that squad in enviable.

Uruguay set out with a 3-5-2 formation against the French with Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan up front. Ajax striker Suarez who has promised so much in the last couple of seasons failed to bring it on against the French, only playing a part in one of the rare chances of the game which his partner Forlan wasted. The Atletico Madrid striker though was the most active player on the pitch and looked very threatening. They will enter this game as favourite as they have a very strong squad on paper but after the hosts inspiring and brave performance in Game 1 one could expect a cracker of an encounter between these two teams. (Detailed Uruguay Team Preview)

Form Guide (games in bold are World Cup matches)

South Africa (DWWWD)
25th May 2010, South Africa 1-1 Bulgaria
28th May 2010, South Africa 2 - 1 Colombia
1st June 2010, South Africa 5 - 0 Guatemala
5th June 2010, South Africa 1 - 0 Denmark
1th June 2010, South Africa 1 - 1 Mexico (match report)

Uruguay (DWWDW)
15th Nov 2008, Costa Rica 0 - 1 Uruguay
19th Nov 2009, Uruguay 1 - 1 Costa Rica
3rd March 2010, Switzerland 1 - 3 Uruguay
27th May 2010, Uruguay 4 - 1 Israel
12th June 2010, Uruguay 0 - 0 France (match report)

Key Players:

Steven Pienaar: A lot of expectations rest on the shoulders of the Everton midfielder as he is by far the most talented player in the South African squad. After being a mere shadow of himself in Game 1, he will look to step it up a notch against the Uruguayans, who are going to be a much sterner test for Bafana Bafana. He needs to take on defenders more often and deliver deadly balls in, a dimension that the host team lacked in their opening game.

Diego Forlan: He missed a couple of half decent chances but then he was also the most exciting and mobile player in Uruguay's opener against France. After a few wonderful seasons in Spain, he is starting to get the tag of ‘Europe's most potent forward' and one hopes that the former Manchester United striker lives up to it at these finals.

Probable Line-ups: -

South Africa (4-5-1): Khume, Mokoena, Masilela, Khumalo, Gaxa, Pienaar, Dikgacoi, Tshabalala, Modise, Letsholonyane, Mphela

Itumeleng Khume made some crucial saves against Mexico and he will probably have to play a much more vital role against the Charruas in goal with their strong attacking force. Tshabalala and Modise were excellent for South Africa, being the creative fuel in the team and one would expect them to do so again. Pienaar will in all likelihood be on the right hand side with all his tricks and twirls, one hopes he gets more crosses in and takes a chance or two from long distance after cutting inside. Mphela is a good striker, but the lack of service in Game 1 rendered him largely ineffective. He would be desperate to have a good game and get on the score sheet.

Uruguay (3-5-2): Muslera, Lugano, A Pereira, Godin, Victorino, Perez, Gonzalez, Arevalo, M Pereira, Suarez, Forlan.

Against South Africa Oscar Tabarez may opt to go for a more attacking line up including introducing a natural playmaker to the side. Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan will need more support in the final third, and need to play as high up the pitch as possible, rather than having to drop back into midfield in order to create something. Sadly, Nicolas Lodeiro would be the ideal man for the job, but after his sending off against France, the Ajax midfielder faces a suspension.

Prediction:

Both teams are coming off decent results in their opening games and confidence should be high. Uruguay are far more superior on paper but the Bafana Bafana have the whole stadium giving them that invisible extra man advantage. The Uruguayans are far superior to Mexico in the final third, and are unlikely to led an ordinary South African backline off the hook.

Predicted Scoreline: South Africa 1 - 2 Uruguay

File Photograph Copyright: STF Photo Agency

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