Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy has declared he wants to play for South Africa in the 2010 World Cup.

"I'm still in good shape, so there's no chance that I'm giving up on going to the World Cup," said McCarthy. "You've got to give young players a chance and that's what they did for the African Nations Cup.

"But I've been in the national team now since 1997 and in 1998 I became a regular. Ever since then, I have been the number one striker for 10 years.

"I'm 30 years old now and I'm still going. In all my time, not one single player has come and got as close to where I've been with the national team.

"It's a shame that, for such a great country with so many talented young players, not one of them has put my playing days with the national team in danger.

"But now I'm having to work extra hard to get there because the World Cup in 2010, in my home country, will be the last opportunity for me to play on the biggest stage.

"Me not going to the African Cup of Nations opened the door for so many young players, but when 2010 comes around, then I still want to be the No1 striker."