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With less than 90 days to the kick-off of the spectacular that will enthral football fans across the globe, a study released by BMI Sport Info, South Africa’s leading independent sport and sponsorship Research Company, found massive support for the five-time World Cup winners, and twice as much as their closest rival England.
BMI asked South Africans which teams they would support during the World Cup in South Africa, as well as who their second choice would be if they first choice went out of the competition early.
The survey was conducted in February / March, with methodology based on consumer research amongst a total sample of 2 400 adult of 18 years and older. The one-on-one interviews took place nationally, in Metropolitan and major urban areas covering individuals from South Africa's diverse background.
"Bafana Bafana definitely has the support of the nation," BMI’s Johan Grobler said of the findings. "The South Africans received more than 70% of the popular support, showing South Africans are right behind their national heroes in patriotic fashion ahead of this year’s tournament.
"But what was also interesting was the way South Africans have fallen for the Brazilian Samba soccer style that has captivated fans at World Cups across the world. English football traditionally has a strong support base in this country, but the Brazilian support was much stronger than that of England."
Brazil was the first choice of 11 percent of South Africans, but rose significantly to 26 percent as a second team choice. England was the first choice for three percent of respondents, while 11 percent said they would support the English as their second team.
Interestingly total support for Brazil was much higher amongst young adults under 35 years old at 42% versus the 37% overall.
Other teams to receive support were Spain, Italy and Argentina, while African side Ghana, who received zero support as a first choice team, found themselves with six percent when given as a second option.
The survey also split the responses in terms of population groups, with support for Bafana Bafana differing significantly between white and black fans. Whereas 81% of Black South Africans selected Bafana Bafana as their top choice, less than 50% of Whites did the same.
There will be concern about one aspect as well, as support for Bafana Bafana drops by five points among young Whites under the age of 35 years old.
However, one should however be careful not to take these results out of context, cautions BMI’s Dave Sidenberg.
"If you consider that less than 10% of White South African adults support local soccer, the fact that now almost 50% of them will be supporting Bafana Bafana in the upcoming SWC must be seen as a good positive trend, and positive for Nation Building," Sidenberg said.
