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Johannesburg - Benni McCarthy believes that Bafana Bafana could be a "surprise package" at the Soccer World Cup - but they will need to get off to a good start against Mexico at Soccer City on June 11.
The West Ham striker admitted that it won't be easy, by any means, but the South African side have a number of factors in their favour and a win against the Central American side will create confidence within the squad.
He told FIFA.com: "The first game against Mexico must surely be considered crucial, a win could hand some momentum and create a fever that could carry the team forward.
"It will tell us if we are going through or not. If we beat Mexico, that will send everyone's confidence sky-high. It will make us believe we are good enough to beat France or Spain or whoever comes along in our path later. I think we can actually be the surprise package of this World Cup.
"The advantage for us is that we play at home. We will have the majority of the fans on our side and the conditions that we are used to.
"So maybe that could be a factor that could count for us. We are just hoping to get a great start in the first two games, before we play France. You never know, we could set ourselves up nicely for a chance of going through to the knockout rounds."
Bafana have been paired with some quality opposition in the group stage of the World Cup with Uruguay and France making up the four-team group and McCarthy added that they will be as tough as anybody in the four-week long competition.
"If I'm honest, it's going to be really tough," he added.
"We couldn't have a more difficult group. Uruguay are a top South American side, great players in their line-up, so they are going to be a really tough nut to crack, and then Mexico are extremely difficult.
"And obviously there's the French side. They've not been the best over the last two years, but they've still got the players and in tournaments like the World Cup, they can get off to a good start and then you never know what's going to happen. I think they have a point to prove to the world after being so underrated lately."
McCarthy knows that experience will be key if South Africa are to advance to the last 16 and beyond, and is keen to show he is an important part of the squad.
"When it comes to high-profile matches, you need players with a lot of experience, who've been there and played at that level, to try and take you through, calm things down and lead," he said.
"If I'm selected, then I'm going to be looking at myself to try to provide that experience, to calm things down, and obviously try and make a difference as well. Not just by scoring goals but by putting everyone at ease, not letting them get overwhelmed by the World Cup fever.
"The fact that I've been there twice before will help me to be a senior figure.
This may be the 32-year-old's last chance at international success and he is also determined to go out with a bang, saying: "This is my last World Cup. I'm going to try and remember every moment I can. It's in our country, where it all started for me, where I was defined as a player. It's almost at the end time now, time to say goodbye and I can do it in a World Cup, in South Africa."
As far as winning the tournament goes, McCarthy believes that one of Brazil and Spain are favourites, while he doesn't give Fabio Capello's England a chance of claming glory.
He concluded: "Obviously my favourite team since growing up has always been Brazil, but Spain are big contenders to go to the final and win it. They are the most attractive football-playing side over the last two years or so.
"England are always good contenders but, you know, the media like to pump them up, like they are favourites. They have a serious manager and will be up for a great fight, but I don't see England as World Cup winner, maybe as semifinalists."
The West Ham striker admitted that it won't be easy, by any means, but the South African side have a number of factors in their favour and a win against the Central American side will create confidence within the squad.
He told FIFA.com: "The first game against Mexico must surely be considered crucial, a win could hand some momentum and create a fever that could carry the team forward.
"It will tell us if we are going through or not. If we beat Mexico, that will send everyone's confidence sky-high. It will make us believe we are good enough to beat France or Spain or whoever comes along in our path later. I think we can actually be the surprise package of this World Cup.
"The advantage for us is that we play at home. We will have the majority of the fans on our side and the conditions that we are used to.
"So maybe that could be a factor that could count for us. We are just hoping to get a great start in the first two games, before we play France. You never know, we could set ourselves up nicely for a chance of going through to the knockout rounds."
Bafana have been paired with some quality opposition in the group stage of the World Cup with Uruguay and France making up the four-team group and McCarthy added that they will be as tough as anybody in the four-week long competition.
"If I'm honest, it's going to be really tough," he added.
"We couldn't have a more difficult group. Uruguay are a top South American side, great players in their line-up, so they are going to be a really tough nut to crack, and then Mexico are extremely difficult.
"And obviously there's the French side. They've not been the best over the last two years, but they've still got the players and in tournaments like the World Cup, they can get off to a good start and then you never know what's going to happen. I think they have a point to prove to the world after being so underrated lately."
McCarthy knows that experience will be key if South Africa are to advance to the last 16 and beyond, and is keen to show he is an important part of the squad.
"When it comes to high-profile matches, you need players with a lot of experience, who've been there and played at that level, to try and take you through, calm things down and lead," he said.
"If I'm selected, then I'm going to be looking at myself to try to provide that experience, to calm things down, and obviously try and make a difference as well. Not just by scoring goals but by putting everyone at ease, not letting them get overwhelmed by the World Cup fever.
"The fact that I've been there twice before will help me to be a senior figure.
This may be the 32-year-old's last chance at international success and he is also determined to go out with a bang, saying: "This is my last World Cup. I'm going to try and remember every moment I can. It's in our country, where it all started for me, where I was defined as a player. It's almost at the end time now, time to say goodbye and I can do it in a World Cup, in South Africa."
As far as winning the tournament goes, McCarthy believes that one of Brazil and Spain are favourites, while he doesn't give Fabio Capello's England a chance of claming glory.
He concluded: "Obviously my favourite team since growing up has always been Brazil, but Spain are big contenders to go to the final and win it. They are the most attractive football-playing side over the last two years or so.
"England are always good contenders but, you know, the media like to pump them up, like they are favourites. They have a serious manager and will be up for a great fight, but I don't see England as World Cup winner, maybe as semifinalists."
