Jedinak set to face Palace team-mate in Sydney

Mile Jedinak is set to go head-to-head with a Crystal Palace team-mate after South Africa named their squad to play the Socceroos next month.

Mile Jedinak is set to go head-to-head with a Crystal Palace team-mate after South Africa named their squad to play the Socceroos in the Aussies- World Cup farewell match in Sydney next month.

Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund has named an 18-man squad, including Jedinak's Palace team-mateKagisho Dikgacoi.

The pair has formed a formidable partnership in Palace's midfield this season and are a big reason why the club look like avoiding relegation from the English Premier League.

While the majority of South Africa's squad are home based players, midfielders Ayanda Patosi and Andile Jali play in Belgium and will be well-known by Socceroos shot-stopper Mat Ryan.

South Africa will take on the Socceroos at ANZ Stadium on Monday May 26, before a clash with New Zealand in Auckland four days later.

"These matches are an integral part of the Association's vision to have Bafana Bafana play against some of the top sides in the world," SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan said.

"For us to have a strong Bafana Bafana we will have to face these big footballing nations. We have already played the likes of Spain and Brazil, and we have lined more high profile games which we will unveil with time."

The Socceroos' last clash with Bafana Bafana was in London in 2008, which ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw.

The clash with South Africa will be one of just three more matches the Socceroos will play before their World Cup campaign begins.

Australia will also play Croatia in a second warm-up game at a neutral venue after they arrive in Brazil while another match at their training base in Vitoria is also likely against a local club team.

"We are also happy to have been given the opportunity to assist Australia in their preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament in Brazil,” said South African coach Igesund.

“This is a chance we could not miss. We hope our match will be of great assistance.”

South Africa squad: Itumeleng Khune (Kaiser Chiefs), Ronwen Williams (Supersport United), Thabo Nthete (Mamelodi Sundowns), Buhle Mkhwanazi (University of Pretoria), Tsepo Masilela (Kaizer Chiefs), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk), Thabo Matlaba (Orlando Pirates), Siyanda Xulu (Rostov FC), Andile Jali (Oostende), Oupa Manyisa (Orlando Pirates), Bongani Zungu (Mamelodi Sundowns), Themba Zwane (Mpumalanga Black Aces), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaiser Chiefs), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Crystal Palace) Ayanda Patosi (Lokeren), Bernard Parker (Kaiser Chiefs), Tokelo Rantie (Bournemouth).

The final chance to see the Socceroos on home soil before they head to the World Cup will be when they take on South Africa in a farewell game on May 26 in Sydney. Tickets for the match, presented by NAB, are on sale now. Click here to secure yours today.