World Cup 2010 Media Watch: South African Press Depressed And Deflated

The South African media was predictably down on Thursday following the 3-0 defeat suffered at the hands of Uruguay in Pretoria the previous evening.

Wednesday, a national holiday, dawned with few believing that Carlos Parreira’s men wouldn’t take the three points against their Group A opponents. On local television network SABC before the match, fans and presenters alike were predicting wins that ranged from tight to the thumping.

That never looked likely from the time Diego Forlan shot Uruguay ahead midway through the first half. The comprehensive loss leaves Bafana Bafana in serious danger of missing out on a place in the second round.

Broadsheet newspaper The Star is worried that the team won’t make it.

“For Bafana, it is back to the drawing board; they are on the verge of breaking a record that they would not be proud of: being the first-ever Worldup hosts to be knocked out in the group stages.”

It had no complaints about the result however.

“It all started on a note of extreme optimism, laughter and confidence but ended in disappointment and heartache yet again for thousands of Bafana Bafana fans. In the end, Bafana were overwhelmed by Uruguay and now have to rely on hope and prayer."

All hope is not lost however as the paper quoted fans who were quite confident that South Africa would defeat France in the final group match.

“France should expect a whipping when we meet them because right now we are a wounded lion," said one.

The Times, which went with the headline 'Forlan and Forlorn' due to the impressive performance of Uruguay's star striker, was impressed with the South Americans.

“South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said he thought his side were the fittest of the 32 World Cup competitors going into the tournament, but was proved wrong by the superb conditioning of Wednesday’s opponents, who seemed to revel in the chilly weather.

“Uruguay were almost always first to the loose balls, quick to close down space and swift to see opportunity. Their quick decision-making contrasted with an indecisive approach from the hosts.”

Leading South African football magazine Kick Off summed it up succinctly: “Bafana outplayed, outfought and beaten.”