Johannesburg: If the Bafana Bafana are eliminated at the World Cup, look for South Africans to turn their support to five-time champion Brazil.
A local survey shows that 26 per cent of South Africans will pick Brazil as their second-choice team if South Africa is out. England was next, with 11 per cent.
The independent sport and sponsorship research company BMI Sport Info told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the hosts are the first-choice team of 71 per cent of those interviewed, while Brazil had 11 per cent of the votes and England 3 per cent.
The South African company said it interviewed 2,400 adults in February and March in metropolitan areas across South Africa. The survey's margin of error was plus or minus 5 percentage points. It was first published in late March.
"We like how Brazil plays," said Edward Eland, a 44-year-old nurse in Johannesburg. "Brazil has style, we don't see that in many of the other teams."
The Brazilians received huge support from the local crowd when they won the Confederations Cup in South Africa last year, when it won all five matches, including 1-0 over Bafana Bafana in the semifinals.
"Hopefully we will get the same support we got during the Confederations Cup," Brazil coach Dunga said. "Without a doubt that's going to help us. We are happy that our work is recognized here."
Spain was picked as the second-choice team of 8 per cent of those interviewed, while Italy got 7 per cent and Argentina 6 per cent.
Ghana is the African side with the most support from South Africans, being voted as the second-choice team of 6 per cent of those surveyed.
Support for the South Africans reached 81 per cent among the black population, and only 52 per cent among the white, the research company said.
The Brazilians wear a yellow jersey like the South Africans, but that's not the only thing the countries have in common.
A significant portion of the two countries' populations is comprised of blacks, and racism is an aspect they have had to deal with throughout their history. There are a lot of African roots in Brazil, going back centuries. The Brazilian colony was one of the main destinations of African slaves during the Atlantic slave trade from the 16th century until the 19th century.
Among the blacks only, Brazil is the second-choice team of 30 per cent of those interviewed.
Brazil has been in Johannesburg since last Thursday preparing for the monthlong tournament. Seeking a record sixth world title, Brazil will debut on June 15 against North Korea and then will face the Ivory Coast and Portugal.
"There are so many great players in the Brazilian team," 20-year-old Luthando Khosa said. "That's what makes a difference. We like to see them play."
Brazil will host the 2014 World Cup.
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