Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has backed Bafana Bafana to shine in their World Cup curtain-raiser against Mexico, despite a funny 'lost in translation' message to Hugo Broos.

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is targeting history ahead of Thursday's World Cup opener against Mexico, aiming to take South Africa past the group stage for the first time.

While Mexico look to tear up a historical record of never winning a World Cup opening match, Bafana Bafana prepare to brave a hostile cauldron in Mexico City.