They are the only South Africans on the list of prospective candidates that Fifa released a few months ago and will be going to the headquarters of world football's governing body in September for extensive testing.

Bennett goes to a seminar for referees at Fifa House from September 20 to 29, where he will undergo extensive fitness, psychological and even English tests.

Siwela will go separately with the selected linesmen from around the world to Zurich from September 29 to October 5, where he will undergo similar tests. These are the first steps on a long road to winning selection to the World Cup panel and the same process Jerome Damon and Enoch Molefe underwent before being chosen to referee at the last finals in 2010.

Should Bennett and Siwela get through the tests, they will then be closely watched by a mentor picked by Fifa, who will report on all their games and offer advice and criticism. They will also be given plum assignments at a minimum of one of the tournaments Fifa will stage before Brazil 2014 - next year's Club World Cup in Morocco, the U-20 and U-17 World Cup and the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil.