Host nation South Africa is preparing to take on Spain in what will be the next to last match of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, for third place.

The Bafana Bafana squad  is hoping to give their supporters one final salute while the European champions aim to get a victory before departing from the tournament.

This is a very important competition, so La Furia Roja’s motivation should be the same as it was in the first match.  After second-half goals from David Villa and Fernando Llorente last week,  Spain earned its record 15th straight victory with a 2-0 win over South Africa in Bloemfontein. Although still smarting from the shock loss to the United States, the Spaniards are keen to get back to winning ways this afternoon.

Regardless of the result with Spain, Bafana have created a positive image of themselves at this year’s event. They have showed well – advancing to the semi-finals and coming out narrow losers against Brazil in their match Thursday night in Johannesburg.

The game starts at 3 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET).

UPDATE: Xabi Alonso’s extra-time winner helped Spain clinch third place after a 3-2 victory over South Africa. The Liverpool midfielder struck from a free-kick two minutes into the second period of extra-time to put the hosts to fourth place in the Confederations Cup. You can watch the video here.