Big day for the host nation

South Africa have nothing to lose as they enter the finals for the first time after being eliminated in the opening qualifying round on their World Cup debut in 1994.

France have the greater pedigree, but South Africa8217;s French-born coach Philippe Troussier is in defiant mood by pinning his hopes on the attacking verveof his team.

South Africa have made up for the lost years of international isolation and twice reached the African Nations Cup final, winning in 1996.

The match will be a special occasion for the team8217;s keyman playmaker Zinedine Zidane, who was born in Marseille. 8220;To start the World Cup in Marseille is a dream,8221; he said. 8220;I8217;ve been thinking about this match for months.8221;

Probable teams

FRANCE: 16 Fabien Barthez; 15 Lilian Thuram, 5 Laurent Blanc, 8 Marcel Desailly, 3 Bixente Lizarazu, 7 Didier Deschamps captain, 17 Emmanuel Petit, 10 Zinedine Zidane, 6 Youri Djorkaeff, 9 Stephane Guivarc8217;H or 20 David Trezeguet, 21 Christophe Dugarry.

SOUTH AFRICA: 1 Hans Vonk; 4 Willem Jackson or 2 Thembam Nguni, 5 Mark Fish, 19 Lucas Radebe captain, 3 David Nyathi; 11 Helman Mkhalele, 10 John Moshoeu, 12 Brendan Augustine, 7 Quinton Fortune; 17 Benedict McCarthy or 9 Shaun Bartlett, 6 Phil Masinga.