Orlando Pirates head coach Ruud Krol has decided to rest his four Bafana Bafana stars for this month's Vodacom Challenge, which features English Premiership side Manchester City as well as Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs.

Krol reasoned that the quartet, midfielders Teko Modise, Benson Mhlongo, left back Innocent Mdledle, as well as strike Katlego Mashego, needed a break after they went straight into the Bafana camp to prepare for the Confederations Cup at the end of the Premier Soccer League season in May.

Krol decided they needed three weeks rest after the tournament ended on June 28 with Bafana finishing fourth.

But with 'Bucs' opening Challenge clash against the big spending Manchester City at Polokwane's Peter Mokaba Stadium on June 18, it was felt by Krol the players would not have enough time to recover from a tough international competition before the PSL season kicks off in August.

Said 'Bucs' spokesman Mickey Modisane: "It is going to be a short hard season and the coach does not want to burn out Bafana players who have not had a break since the end of the season and the four players have earned their break."

Modisane said Krol could be blooding new players and giving other promising players from last season a chance to play against the English Premiership club in the opening Challenge match at the new Peter Mokaba Stadium on July 18.

New midfield signing, Andile Jali from Pretoria University, and promising striker Ndimiso Mabena from another First Division outfit, Winners Park, will likely get a chance to show their potential.

But that depends on their fitness and how well they have worked at training. Krol is a tough disciplinarian and will use the Challenge to assess his squad minus the four Bafana stars.

Others who are set to get a chance against City, are midfielders Lindokuhle Mkhwanazi, Lebogang Mothibantwa, Oupa Manyisa and striker Siphelele Mthembu, who all were part of Krol's squad last season.

Said Modisane: "Apart from the PSL season starting in August and the league ending on February 28, we are also involved in the African Champions League in 2010 and we are determined to make a big impression, so it is important for the coach to find out what depth he has."

Meanwhile Modisane appealed to his supporters to keep voting for Pirates and make sure the Buccaneers are one of the four teams involved in the annual Telkom Charity Cup at Ellis Park on August 4.

The teams that get the most phone votes from the public will play in the annual PSL pipe-opener.

"We were runners up to SuperSport United in the Premiership last season and aim to go one better and need to compete in tournaments like the Charity Cup and Vodacom Challenge to assess the players and gain experience ahead of what will be the most demanding PSL season ever."