The match on February 9 will be the fifth meeting between Bafana Bafana and the Socceroos. Australia won three matches and lost one. South Africa will use this one to prepare for the 2006 World Cup qualifiers which start again in March.

As hosts in 2010, it is important that Bafana Bafana qualify for Germany. Danny Jordaan, CEO of SAFA said: "At the end of the German World Cup there is a ceremony in which the 2006 hosts hand over to the 2010 hosts. The team needs to be there. So there is additional pressure as to why it is important for us to qualify for Germany."

Australia has hosted a number of major international events, and they are willing to share their expertise with SAFA.

Phillip Green, the Australian High Commissioner to South Africa, said: "We'll be bringing a delegation of experts from Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and the 2003 Rugby World Cup, who will be able to engage with SAFA and others engaged in the organising of the World Cup in 2010, about their expertise and making their expertise available to those in South Africa who are interested."

SAFA will hold a gala dinner on the eve of the match to raise funds for the recent floods and fire disasters in Durban and Cape Town and also for the tsunami victims in south east Asia.