'Formula' predicts Uruguay win

Cape Town - Uruguayans hoping their team can pull off a repeat of their 1950 Soccer World Cup upset against Brazil have found a new source of optimism in a mathematical formula that has gone viral on social networks.

The magic number, according to the theory, is 3964.

Brazil won the World Cup in 1970 and 1994. Add those up and you get 3964. Argentina won in 1978 and 1986, Brazil again in 1962 and 2002, Germany in 1974 and 1990 - all add up to 3964.

By that logic, Uruguay should be due for its next championship in - grab your calculator - 2014.