Spain's friendly meeting with South Africa sees Vicente del Bosque's side return to the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg for the first time since they won the World Cup there more than three years ago.
Spain's friendly meeting with South Africa sees Vicente del Bosque's side return to the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg for the first time since they won the World Cup there more than three years ago.
The match comes three days after a sluggish 2-1 win over Equatorial Guinea in Malabo, in which Del Bosque fielded a starting line-up largely consisting of the less experienced players in his squad, including youngsters Alberto Moreno, Koke and Marc Bartra, who made his international debut.
The veteran coach is expected to rotate his team considerably against South Africa, allowing many of the players who were involved in the final triumph over Holland - the likes of Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta - to take to the Soccer City turf again.
One possible exception is Xabi Alonso, who started in Malabo due to an injury to Javi Martinez, but was forced to withdraw from the match before half-time after receiving a knock to his ankle.
Del Bosque has explained that Martinez is now fully fit and the Bayern Munich player is now likely to start ahead of his Real Madrid counterpart.
With Germany and Italy, their rivals for the upcoming World Cup, using the international break to test their quality against various heavyweights, Spain's long journeys to face two teams that will not be at next summer's tournament in Brazil have raised eyebrows.
But Ramos insists the squad are pleased to return to the place where they made history in July 2010.
"This trip to South Africa is our way of saying thanks to this country for being so kind to us," he told a press conference.
"It's more convenient to travel around Europe but there are countries in the world that have the right to enjoy seeing the world champions in action, whether that's in a match or a training session."
Gordon Igesund has been with South Africa for little over a year and in the wake of the nation's failure to reach the World Cup finals, the 57-year-old is eager to breed continuity in the team ahead of the African Nations Cup.
The multiple league title winning coach praised counterpart Del Bosque, who recently extended his contract by two years, for his achievements in the Spanish hot seat.
Igesund said: "I always feel it's good to have continuity. Because, for example, in the last 18 months we have created an identity for South African football which we never had before.
"We are playing a style of football that the players are getting accustomed to and enjoying. And the people are enjoying it too. That's continuity and we need to keep that going now.
"It's fantastic that their coach (Del Bosque) has been given a contract. He's one of the best coaches in the world. He has done a fantastic job and he deserves everything he is getting.
"He is world champion and European champion. Good luck to him. We will see what happens here."
Bafana Bafana hard-man Dean Furman
Bafana Bafana players looking rather elaxed when they came out for their final training session
Bafana Bafana gearing up for the big game
Bafana Bafana being taken through thier paces
Spain arrive at the OR Tambo International Airport Sunday - November 17
Captain IkerCasillas
Vicente del Bosque getting off the bus
Vicente del Bosque addressing the press last night - (November 18) ahead of the show-down with Bafana tonight.
Andrés Iniesta and IkerCasillas during a press conference on Monday night - November 18
The Spanish National team arrving at the iconic FNB Stadium where they won their maiden World Cup
Arguably one of the best players on the planet Andrés Iniesta ariving at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday - November 17
David Villa
Xabi Alonso
Spanish team posing for pictures with fans
Warming up for the friendly against Bafana Bafana
Warming up for the friendly against Bafana Bafana
David Villa and Sergio Ramos addressing the media on Sunday night at teh FNB Stadium - November 17
