Bafana Bafana, ranked 83rd in the world, have been drawn in a tough Group A against Mexico, Uruguay and former champions France, raising concerns they may be the first hosts to bow out of football's showpiece tournament in the first round.
"They are on the right way, the right way to go to the next round," Blatter said at the official opening of the 45,000 seat Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane that will host four matches in the month-long World Cup starting on June 11.
"I do hope so, it would be good, it would be good for the organisation, it would be good for everybody."
"It is good preparation to be always on the winning side ... I think the ambience (atmosphere) in South Africa now for Bafana Bafana is a very high one and they will have a 12th player."
