The Bafana Bafana are currently in Germany for a training camp and had planned to play both nations in Europe as a part of their preparations ahead of this summer's World Cup in their homeland.

Those plans had, however, been threatened due to the travel problems associated with the volcanic ash cloud.

North Korea had hoped to play South Africa at their own training camp in Spain, but a deal has now been done for them to travel to Frankfurt for a match on Thursday evening at the SV Wehen Wiesbaden Stadium.

"It has been difficult trying to get practice matches but now we are elated that we managed to secure DPR Korea," South African team manager Sipho Nkumane said.

South Africa will also play China, who failed to reach this summer's finals, next Wednesday at the Offenbach Kickers FC Stadium.

A third friendly against Estonia was due to be played on Saturday, but has provisionally been cancelled after the former Baltic state could not guarantee their arrival due to the ash.

Despite that, Nkumane said he was still hopeful the match could go ahead, provided the skies cleared up to allow their arrival in Germany for the weekend.

Further matches against the second teams of Nurnberg and SPVGG Greuther Furth have been called off because South African coach Carlos Alberto Parreira was looking for higher-quality opponents.

Bafana Bafana's final friendly before the World Cup is against Denmark on June 5 in Johannesburg.

South Africa will open the World Cup against Group A rivals Mexico in Johannesburg on June 11.