Bloemfontein, South Africa - The Spanish national team is trying to win their 15th victory on the trot to claim the all-time record for consecutive international victories when they meet South Africa on Saturday in Bloemfontein.

The three points would also hand them the top spot in Group A and probably allow them to avoid two-time Confederations Cup champions Brazil until the final. And though the Spanish camp will not admit that they are giving too much worry to the record, which they currently share with Brazil, France and Australia, they are taking it surprisingly seriously according to their coach Vicente del Bosque.

"The streak is important," the 58-year-old told the media Friday. "Of course we don't want to be thinking about it constantly, but we have the opportunity to go down in history. And some records may be dubious, but this one is based on results and so it cannot be debated."

Spain can also equal Brazil's streak for longest consecutive matches unbeaten on 35 if they avoid defeat against Bafana Bafana, who can still go through to the semi-final with a draw. But the Spanish don't think that hosts will play conservatively.

"South Africa are the host team, so they will want to win every match they can, but we want to do the same. So it will be an interesting match," said backup goalkeeper Jose Reina, who could be in line to win his 15th cap if Iker Casillas is one of the handful of Spanish stars to be rested by Del Bosque.

"We can win the group with a draw also, but we have this winning streak, and we want to keep that going," continued the Liverpool netminder. "Once you have this kind of momentum, you just want to keep winning.

"We want to continue to be the team that is seen as unbeatable, as we have been," said the 26-year-old.

Given that their place in the last four is assured, Del Bosque had indicated he would be open to resting some key players for the contest at Free State Stadium. But he hedged a bit on that today, saying: "We want to be sure that we don't weaken our team since we must be ready for a strong opponent."

But he did hint that he wouldn't field a full-strength side. "If we have to make changes, this is the ideal situation," he said.

In La Furia Roja's last match, a 1-0 win over Iraq, striker David Villa became Spain's second all-time scorer with his 30th goal from 46 matches. And though he is likely to be rested against South Africa, talk turned to the Valencia player's future and the controversy about whether he will be allowed to move clubs on a transfer.

Reina, who is friends with Villa, said that he was not worried about the striker's focus at the tournament.

"Villa is very much at ease and totally committed to the national team," he said. "He is an important player for Spain and still playing well while he considers his future."(dpa)