HOST nation South Africa were left facing the prospect of an early World Cup exit after slumping to defeat at the hands of a Diego Forlan-inspired Uruguay in Pretoria last night.

South Africa 0 Uruguay 3

South Africa’s all-time leading goalscorer Benni McCarthy was today left out of the Bafana Bafana squad for the World Cup finals.

South Africa coach Joel Santana has included strikers Mabhuti Khenyeza and Richard Henyekane in his 24-man squad for the match against Ireland in Thomond Park early next month.

SUBSTITUTE Daniel Alves broke South African hearts with an 88th-minute free-kick for Brazil that dumped the hosts out of the Confederations Cup with a narrow semi-final victory in Johannesburg.