IT HAS been a tricky balancing act between school work and play for Daniye Primary School youngsters as they prepare for the Danone Nations Cup World Finals.

The school will be flying out to the UK to represent South Africa at the World championships next month after they won the national finals and earned the right to represent the country at the world finals to be held at Wembley Stadium.

The lads from Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga have been hard at work preparing for the biggest tournament of their lives. In London, they will be playing against fellow future stars from around the world.

Trainer and school principal Enerst Mbunda said: "We've had to strike a good balance between school and play, though the boys have understandably been battling to contain their excitement ahead of the big trip.

"But they do understand that education is as equally important, and that they needed to put as much effort into their school work."

The tournament is the biggest for children aged 10 to 12 and has over the years established itself as a highly respected event with Fifa endorsement. It now enjoys a solid reputation within the world of professional football and partner organisations, having French football legend Zinedine Zidane as its face.

Created in France following the 1998 Fifa World Cup, the tournament has been an international affair since 2010, playing host to young footballers in prestigious global arenas such as Soweto's Orlando Stadium and the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid [Spain].