Spain: How Will They Line Up Against South Africa in Friendly

Spain flew into South Africa on Sunday morning ahead of their international friendly match in Johannesburg on Tuesday night.

And while previous friendlies against the likes of Haiti, Saudi Arabia and Equatorial Guinea have drawn criticism in some quarters, their latest trip does carry some purpose.

"To remember the finest hour of Spanish football," said Alfredo Relano in his column in AS, speaking of that 116th-minute Andres Iniesta goal against Holland in the World Cup final in 2010.

Relano added, "at the risk of being excessively football-centric, it is arguably the finest hour that sport as a whole in Spain has seen too."

Sergio Ramos added in AS that "this trip is our way of saying thanks to [South Africa] for being so kind to us," although Vicente del Bosque is unlikely to put out a team as forgiving as the one that limped over the line against Equatorial Guinea on Saturday evening.

For that 2-1 win there were only two starters who played a part in the World Cup final: Xabi Alonso and Jesus Navas.

Sergio Busquets, Iniesta, David Villa, Pedro Rodriguez and Sergio Ramos all appeared from the bench though.

Del Bosque—who signed a contract to keep him in charge of La Roja until 2016 on Friday, via The Guardian—is likely to restore most of his regulars to the side for the match against South Africa at Soccer City.

Pepe Reina kept goal at the weekend, meaning it is likely that either Iker Casillas or Victor Valdes will start against South Africa—which one is hard to say.

Across the back four it is likely that only Alberto Moreno will keep his place—although Nacho Monreal may be granted a start—with Alvaro Arbeloa, Ramos and Raul Albiol are all likely to be restored to the lineup.

The rotation would mean Marc Bartra, who earned his first international cap on Saturday, and Juanfran, who scored his first international goal, would be confined to places on the bench.

Xabi Alonso, who was taken off as a precaution against Eq. Guinea just before half time, should take his place in the double pivot alongside Sergio Busquets, with the World Cup-winning goalscorer Iniesta just in front of them.

With Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas not part of the squad, Atletico Madrid's impressive Koke could, and should, maintain his place in midfield.

Further forward and wide, the space will presumably be filled by Pedro, with David Villa likely to join him.

Villa does face stiff competition from Alvaro Negredo and Fernando Llorente to take his place as Spain's most advanced forward.

In the long run those three will also be battling with Diego Costa, Fernando Torres and Roberto Soldado for a seat on the airplane to Brazil next summer.

Jesus Navas, Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla would therefore all be left out of Del Bosque's XI too, although all three did start against Eq. Guinea.

Possible Spain XI: Iker Casillas; Alvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Raul Albiol, Alberto Moreno; Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso; Koke, Andres Iniesta, Pedro Rodriguez; David Villa