It comes in the form of the mighty vuvuzela, a plastic trumpet which emits a noise that has been likened to a swarm of bees, a dying elephant – and other disparaging comparisons.
Following Bafana's drubbing of Thailand in a World Cup warm-up match in Nelspruit last weekend, coach Bryan Robson warned international managers they will have to rethink on-pitch communication strategies due to its raucous roar.
The former Manchester United and England skipper warned that the instrument is going to become Bafana Bafana's 12th man during the month-long tournament.
"The noise out there was deafening and created a fantastic atmosphere, but it was so loud I could not communicate with my players on the field," Robson said.
"If 30 000 vuvuzelas can make such a racket, what will 90 000 be able to do when South Africa play in the World Cup?"