North Korea flew from their Spanish base for the game in this

German city between the lowest ranked of the 32 qualifiers for the

first World Cup to be hosted by Africa.

The goalless outcome was no surprise as South Africa, who lacked

unavailable Europe-based stars like midfielders Steven Pienaar of

Everton and captain Aaron Mokoena of Portsmouth, have consistently

struggled to score.

Bafana Bafana (The Boys) managed just one goal in a home draw

with minnows Namibia last month and it took a sizzling Siphiwe

Tshabalala drive to force a similar result away to Paraguay three

weeks ago.

South Africa created most of the first half chances in perfect

spring conditions before a crowd of just 600 with strikers Surprise

Moriri and Katlego Mphela troubling goalkeeper Ri Myung Guk.

Midfielder Ji Yun Nam had the best chance to end the goal

drought after half-time with a long range effort that flew into the

side netting with goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune beaten.

The World Cup hosts introduced 32-year-old Siyabonga Nomvete on

the hour mark for his first national team appearance since 2007,

but the Johannesburg-based striker failed to break the deadlock.

"This was a good test as it is crucial that my players face

teams who have qualified for the World Cup. We need games like this

to develop our rhythm," stressed Brazil-born South Africa coach

Carlos Alberto Parreira.

"It was our first international since the end of March and North

Korea were difficult opponents who played very defensively. We

created some chances but did not take them."

South Africa will face Asian opposition again next Wednesday

when they meet China at the home of Offenbach Kickers in their

final international before returning home from a three-week Germany

camp.

Bafana Bafana are likely to complete their build-up with

fixtures against Colombia on May 27 and Denmark on June 5 at Soccer

City, a 90,000-seat stadium on the outskirts of Soweto that stages

the World Cup opener and final.