Updated

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira Thursday named an unchanged side for Friday's World Cup opening match at Mexico at Soccer City.

He has stuck with the hosts' team that beat Guatemala 5-0 and Denmark 1-0 in their last two preparatory matches.

It had been expected Tsepo Masilela would return from injury to take the left back role but Parreira told a news conference he was not changing the side from last Saturday's match against the Danes.

"We have been working all week with them on tactical formations," the coach said.

The team is: Itumeleng Khune; Siboniso Gaxa, Lucas Thwala, Bongani Khumalo, Aaron Mokoena; Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Steven Pienaar, Teko Modise, Siphiwe Tshabalala; Katlego Mphela.

(Editing by Jon Bramley)