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Cape Town - Bafana Bafana arrived in Praia, Cape Verde on Tuesday evening ahead of their crucial 2018 Soccer World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium on Friday.
The team and technical staff were welcomed by song on arrival after a 22-hour flight that included a stop-over to refuel in Libreville in Gabon.
Stuart Baxter's men will be expecting to pick up a full-house of six points against Cape Verde - who they will face in a "return" fixture - at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban next Tuesday.
In the latest FIFA rankings, South Africa find themselves in 66th place, while Cape Verde are a lowly 114th.
Bafana currently occupy second place in Group D behind leaders Burkina Faso who have a superior goal difference with both teams on four points after two matches played.
Senegal, the highest-ranked team in Bafana's group at 31st, are currently third in the standings, while Cape Verde bring up the rear having lost both of their qualifiers to date.
The winner of each CAF group will automatically book their place for the 2018 World Cup set to take place in Russia.
Sport24 reported that Baxter's men were accompanied by the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Thulas Nxesi, for the qualifier.
In his reaction to travelling with the national team, Nxesi stated that this is an all-important match for the team and the country.
“The national team need all the arsenal and the boost they can get to ensure that they go over this hurdle called Cape Verde so that they can continue to fly our flag high during the Russia World Cup come 2018”.
He went on to say that, “the success of the national team has a direct impact on social cohesion and nation building. I, therefore, urge all citizens to rally behind the team and ensure that we collect the maximum points from this match”.
Kick-off is at 20:30 SA time.
