The Municipal Stadium in Toulouse won't be a place for the faint-hearted on Thursday when Denmark lock horns with South Africa in crunch Group C clash that both teams know they simply have to win.

After their 3-0 drubbing by France in their first ever World Cup finals match last Friday, anything less than a victory for Philippe Troussier's Bafana Bafana squad is likely to render their final match against Saudi Arabia a meaningless affair.

Troussier is determined to have his side pumped up for what he calls " our own World Cup final. " " I'm expecting a big reaction from the players to the France defeat, " said the Frenchman, who has courted unpopularity with the South African media over his iron-fist approach to training and preference for foreign-based players. " I want an aggressive approach. This is a World Cup final for us and we are ready to accept the challenge, " he added. " The future of South African football is at stake and there can be no excuses. The time for talking is over, now we've got to go out and do it on the pitch. "

Troussier must decide whether to risk first-choice strikers Benni McCarthy and Phil Masinga against what is sure to be a combative Danish defence. Ajax striker McCarthy has been suffering with an ankle injury sustained against France, but the 20-year-old declared himself available for selection after resuming training on Tuesday. Imposing Bari striker Masinga is more doubtful with a swollen ankle that has prevented him training since the game against France. Cape Town Spurs' striker Shaun Bartlett stands by to replace the former Leeds star.

Captain Lucas Radebe is likely to return to the defence after playing a holding role in midfield against France. If France beat Saudi Arabia later on Thursday in St. Denis, Denmark, who beat the Saudis 1-0 in their opening game in Lens, will have clinched qualification if they can beat South Africa.

Certainly coach Bo Johansson will be looking for an improvement on the tepid display against the Saudis, when only Mark Rieper's late header prevented them dropping some valuable points. The Laudrup brothers Michael and Brian remain their biggest threat but neither played to their full potential in Lens. Michael celebrated his 34th birthday this week but it is the jinking runs of Chelsea-bound Brian that should give the South African defence plenty to think about.

The 29-year-old reckons Troussier's side could also pay for their avowed intent to attack at all costs. " It's do or die for them, " he said. " They will have to come out and play which suits us perfectly because I think we are one of the best sides in the world on the counter-attack. If they come forward they will leave themselves exposed.  We are expecting a real battle as we know they are strong defensively. "

So too are the Danes, with the redoubtable presence of goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel ready to thwart whatever the likes of McCarthy and company can throw at him. " We were quite satisfied with our performance against the Saudis but we know we have plenty of room for improvement, " said the giant Manchester United keeper.

© - AFP - 1998