Radebe - in excellent form in Japan. (Allsport)

By Paul Walker, PA Sport, Daegu

Click here to place your World Cup bets!
Click here for South Africa team section
Click here for teams index
Click here for latest World Cup headlines
Click here for World Cup photo gallery
Click here for World Cup Bettingzone

Leeds defender Lucas Radebe stands on the brink of captaining South Africa to their greatest achievement while believing he has saved his club career.

The 33-year-old has been in outstanding form in this World Cup after having last season totally wrecked by a serious knee injury.

On Saturday he led South Africa to their first World Cup finals victory with a 1-0 success over Slovenia, putting them on the brink of the last 16.

And this from a centre-back who many believed would not even make these finals because of his persistent injury problems.

But Radebe said: "The way I have come through the games here gives me great confidence for next season, for my fitness generally and my future as a player.

"My strength has returned because of the physical side of training for this tournament, it has given me greater confidence with my knee after all the problems I have had.

"If I can carry on like this without any hiccups it will be a real plus for me next season."

With the problems Leeds have had with their central defenders, Radebe's comeback fit and strong from a successful World Cup campaign will be a major bonus for boss David O'Leary.

And Radebe can see that World Cup success now getting ever closer.

If South Africa manage a point against already-qualified Spain in Daejeon on Wednesday, they will clinch second spot in Group B.

Even if they do not get a draw, Paraguay must beat Slovenia by a minimum of three goals to steal that coveted second berth, and a last-16 clash with possible Group E winners Germany, Cameroon or the Republic of Ireland.

And Radebe believes qualification is now a real possibility.

He said: "We now must go on and show we are good enough to reach the second stage, that would be a great achievement for our country.

"We are here to win all the games and against Spain we must prove we can compete against the best of Europe.

"It will be a very tactical game, they have great players but we must compete and challenge all the time to stay with them.

"We have come a long way just to get here, we have now won our first ever World Cup Finals match and it feels very special."

South Africa, and other African nations have performed well at the World Cup, have turned in highly creditable performances.

Radebe added: "The African teams came to this World Cup with a great potential.

"We are strong teams with loads of players who are now working abroad for big clubs.

"Cameroon, Senegal, ourselves, have all won matches here and I am a little surprised Nigeria have not done as well in their third World Cup.

"We felt they had a chance this time to go further, but it hasn't worked out that way.

"But we must only be concerned about ourselves and go on and take our opportunity.

"The victory over Slovenia has given us a great boost, and we know now just how big the Spain game will be.

"But we have the skills to get something from the game and it would be a tremendous achievement to get to the next stage."

MMMM +++ 090313 GMT JUN 02