Former British Open winner Louis Oosthuizen and reigning Masters champion Charl Schwartzel will team up to fly the flag for South Africa in this week's World Cup.

The two have always been good friends having come through the youth ranks together to both become Major champions, but they haven’t played team golf together since the Eisenhower Trophy in 2002 when they were both still amateurs.

"It's been nearly a decade since Charl and I played in team competition and we've been looking forward to this for some time," Oosthuizen said ahead of the $7.5 million event.

"I've always wanted to play in the World Cup. Some of South Africa's greatest players have played in it and won.

"I didn't qualify for the Presidents Cup team event in 2009 or last week and when I won the Open there was no World Cup as it's now held every two years."

Schwartzel was one of few International team members who shone in the Presidents Cup, claiming three and a half points out of a possible five.

"Charl had a good week in Australia even though the Internationals were beaten and I've had four top-10s in my last four events so the two of us have been looking good for some time now," said Oosthuizen.

"Charl is right up there as far as team formats are concerned whereas I haven't played since my amateur days but I feel I will adapt quickly.

"South Africa have had some great results in recent years at the World Cup with Ernie Els and Retief Goosen winning in 2001 while Trevor Immelman and Rory Sabbatini won in 2003."