Preview: South Africa – Uruguay

(GSM) – With the first round of games completed, South Africa and Uruguay are set to play their second at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday.

South Africa played the tournament’s opening game against Mexico and eventually drew 1-1 after taking the lead earlier in the match. With France still ahead next weekend, the hosts know that a win against Uruguay is basically required to keep hope of making it to the second round.

Uruguay held vice-champions French to a goalless draw on opening day and they too realize that they will need to beat South Africa if they want to keep things in their own hands ahead of the final group game with Mexico.

Uruguay will have to do without Nicolas Lodeiro, who came on as a substitute against France but conceded a red card not much later. Dikgacoi and Masilela of South Africa, as well as Uruguay’s Lugano and Victorino will need to be careful after picking up yellow cards in their first game.

In recent years, these two sides faced twice before. Uruguay beat the Bafana Bafana 4-3 at the 1997 Confederations Cup and the teams drew 0-0 in a 2007 friendly.

Wednesday’s game is scheduled to kick off at 20:30 South African time at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld Stadium, with Swiss Massimo Busacca appointed as referee.