Parreira's re-appointment comes a few days after the sacking of compatriot Joel Santana, who guided Bafana to fourth place in the Confederations Cup.

However, the decision to hire Parreira could spark dissatisfaction among the South African football community, amid calls for a local coach.

"It was our wish to have a local person coach the national team Bafana Bafana," South African federation president Kirsten Nematandani said.

"But we have only eight months to go to the World Cup and there is no time for experimenting, so we went for experience."

Parreira's contract with South Africa will run out by the end of the 2010 World Cup, which will be hosted by the African nation for the first time.