South Africa's only previous meeting with Canada ended in a win and a notable red card

Without taking anything away from the joint hosts Canada, this fixture is about as gentle a match as the team could have hoped for, especially given it is being played in the United States.

It will certainly not be a straightforward game, but it is seen as winnable within the squad. Following their victory over South Korea that secured a place in the knockout stage, there is belief that they can continue progressing in the tournament.

They have only faced Canada once before, in a friendly international in Durban in 2007, which Bafana Bafana won 2-0.

Teko Modise scored both goals that day, the second from the penalty spot, as a home-based side under coach Carlos Alberto Parreira claimed the win.

Paul Stalteri, now an assistant coach with the current Canadian team, was sent off in that match after also conceding the penalty, so he holds bitter memories of facing South Africa.

This time around it is likely to be a much tougher challenge, but coach Hugo Broos says they will stick to their game plan.

“I’m very proud of the performance of my team (against South Korea), and I think we gave an answer to all those big mouths of the last weeks that thought that we had to change something,” Broos said.

“We just did what we did. We just did what I wanted to do and this is the result.”

“I just know that the players will be ready again and try to achieve the third round (last 16). It should be even more historic. But those players are chasing those things.

“Those players want to prove to everyone and to show that they are a good team. So we will see next Sunday if we can go further.”