Soccer City prepares to play host to the opening fixture of the 2010 World Cup and Carlos Alberto Parreira has a nations hopes on his shoulders.

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South Africa coach Carlos Parreira has a fully-fit squad to choose from. The in-form Katlego Mphela looks set to start as a lone striker having scored six goals in his last five internationals.
Mexico captain Rafael Marquez is back in training following an injury to his right leg, while West Ham striker Guillermo Franco is fit again after injuring a toe on his right foot in the friendly against England on 24 May. (BBC Sport)

Its here. The four years of waiting is over and we start with an opening fixture that is not on the face of it a stunning one but it could well be an interesting battle. Carlos Parreira is back in his post and appears to have his side back in the right frame of mind. Many will point out that South Africa are on a run of 12 matches unbeaten but a great many of those matches have been against woeful opposition including matches against Guatemala and Thailand, but their recent win against Denmark will have pleased the Brazilian coach.

Mexico have also played well in their warm up matches. They were unlucky to fall to a 3-1 defeat at Wembley but excellently saw off Italy and could well fancy their chances of making out of a decidedly average group. Coach Javier Aguirre will know that they need all three points from this opening match to stand a good chance of making it to the knock out stages.

Here are some highlights of warm up matches the two teams have taken part in prior to their big kick off.

South Africa 2-1 Colombia

Italy 1-2 Mexico