Springbok coach Peter de Villiers and captain John Smit have presented their soccer counterparts, Carlos Alberto Perreira and Aaron Mokoena, with a special jersey to wish them luck for the forthcoming FIFA 2010 World Cup. The global soccer showpiece kicks off on June 11.

The Bok duo met with the Bafana Bafana coach and captain at a jersey-swapping ceremony in Johannesburg on Thursday. Mokoena reciprocated by handing Smit a Bafana Bafana shirt and wishing the Boks well for the coming international season.

“The entire Springbok and SA Rugby fraternity are behind Bafana Bafana as they prepare for this momentous occasion,” said De Villiers.

“Playing in a World Cup on home soil should be both challenging and motivating and I have no doubt that Bafana Bafana will do themselves and our country proud during the World Cup. We call on all South Africans to support our team and to urge them on to success. Of course there will be pressures, and that is true for all the teams taking part. But it’s important that this in channeled in the right direction and this can be helped by a Nation that is 100% behind its team,” De Villiers said.

Bok captain Smit urged Mokoena and other squad members to savour every moment of the competition.

“Congratulations to those players that will represent our country at the World Cup. Make the most of every moment because there will be special memories that you will cherish for the rest of your lives,” Smit said.

“Take each match as it comes and make sure you have done your homework on each of your opponents. With a strong base to play off you will allow natural talents and game-breaking abilities to thrive which will be a key to success. Good luck to the boys”.

Next month, the entire Springbok squad will participate in a media event in Cape Town on the eve of Bafana’s opening match against Mexico on 11 June. A day later the Boks face France in a Test in the city. The “Boks for Bafana” event will be hosted by Primedia Broadcasting and will be broadcast live by 567 Cape Talk, 702 Talk Radio and SuperSport on June 8.