SOUTH AFRICA ON BORROWED TIME AFTER URUGUAY DEFEAT

South Africa are facing the very real possibility of an early exit from the World Cup Finals after a dismal display against Uruguay on Wednesday night.

The South Americans were the better team for much of the game, restricting the hosts to nothing more than hopeful long shots.

Diego Forlan gave his side a one-nil half time lead with a dipping effort that took the slightest of deflections off of a South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena.

Forlan doubled the lead with a penalty in the second half as Bafana Bafana 'keeper Itumeleng Khune was sent off for a foul on Luis Suarez before Alvaro Pereira wrapped up the win with a third goal deep into injury time.

The hosts now face the daunting prospect of needing a win against former World Champions France in their final group game to stand any chance of progress. The hosts will be hoping for a draw in France and Mexico's second group game tomorrow knowing that that gives them the most likely route to progress. In that event the Mexicans would have to beat Group leaders Uruguay in their final game to secure a place in the knockout stages while France would also have to chase victory against South Africa.

If South Africa do fail to progress they will be the first host nation ever to fail to get through the group stages of the tournament. It may also adversely effect the rest of the tournament with the party atmosphere sure to dampen should the hosts head home early.

The noise levels inside the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria fell dramatically with each Uruguay goal and fans were streaming for the exits as their side fell two goals behind. A chorus of 'boos' replaced the seemingly unstoppable choir of Vuvuzelas as Khune received his marching orders from the referee, but the fans will now have to get behind their team for them to stand any chance of beating France next Tuesday.

For Uruguay however the first task is almost complete. A draw against Mexico in their final game will be enough for them to advance to the round of sixteen but Diego Forlan and his team will undoubtedly want to go through as group winners and show the world they are a force to be reckoned with.