Radebe to set new caps record

South Africa captain Lucas Radebe will establish one first when he walks on to the pitch on Sunday to face Paraguay - and he hopes he will have helped set another by the time he steps off it.

The Leeds centre-half will become South Africa's most capped player when he wins his 67th cap in the World Cup Group B game in Busan's Asiad Main Stadium.

But more important to Radebe would be three points against Cesare Maldini's Paraguay because South Africa have never beaten South American opposition.

South Africa have played Latin American sides four times and the best result they have managed is a draw against Brazil.

Radebe knows Sunday would be the perfect time to break that duck and he said: "We all hope we can beat Paraguay and we know how important it is to start the World Cup with a win."

South Africa have no injury worries and their chances are increased by the fact Paraguay's colourful goalkeeper and deadball specialist Jose Luis Chilavert is suspended.

The man with the howitzer foot will be replaced in goal by Olimpia's Ricardo Tavarelli and he is looking forward to deputising for the Paraguayan legend.

Tavarelli is determined not to let nerves get the better of him and he said: "It's great to be at the World Cup, but I think we should treat the World Cup like any other match.

"I think we should play the way we would play in any other match.

"We have to concentrate on our game and approach it the same as we would any other game."

The 70-year-old Maldini, who took charge of Paraguay last December following the controversial sacking of Sergio Makarian, claims his side can cope with the loss of Chilavert.

The former Italy coach said: "Chilavert is a good player, but then so is Tavarelli so I don't think we should miss him too much.

"We've prepared well for this World Cup and there's a good feeling in the squad.

"We're ready and confident, but we know the South Africans are a strong team and that they have some strong and skilful players."

Paraguay's Carlos Paredes, a team-mate of South Africa striker Benni McCarthy at Porto, is a slight doubt with a leg injury, but Roberto Acuna should shake off a niggle to play.