England captain David Beckham described meeting Nelson Mandela as an "amazing honour" on Wednesday as the former South African president asked him to back the country's bid for the 2010 soccer World Cup.

Beckham, who leads England in a friendly against South Africa on Thursday, smiled and presented an English soccer jersey to the anti-apartheid icon -- an avid sports fan.

"To meet a great man such as you is an amazing honour for everyone involved in the FA (Football Association) and the England team," said Beckham, who spoke softly and appeared nervous with Mandela.

He handed the 84-year-old a white jersey with "Mandela 03" printed on the back. Mandela jokingly said he would not put it on for fear of offending the South African team.

Mandela used his meeting with the English squad to bolster support for South Africa's World Cup bid.

"We are looking for the 2010 soccer (World Cup) and we hope that you and the British people will support our bid," he said.

"I have a promise from David Beckham that they will support our bid. That alone gives us a great deal of hope," Mandela later told Lucas Radebe, who will lead the South African side.

South Africa faces rival bids from five other African countries. South Africa narrowly lost its bid for the 2006 tournament after a controversial vote handed it to Germany.

Beckham told reporters in Durban on Tuesday a World Cup in South Africa would be amazing.

"If I look after myself and treat my body right, I'd love to be here in 2010," the Star newspaper reported him as saying.

NEW HAIRDO

The England visit has been given blanket coverage by the country's media, with newspapers splashing pictures of Beckham's new, cornrow-style hairdo.

Mandela, asked about Beckham's hairstyle, laughed and touched his own white hair.

"I'm too old to express an opinion on this latest development for young people," Mandela said to laughter from the players and his own staff who crowded the auditorium at Mandela's foundation offices.

"David, we love your hair. It's Africa," shouted Bridget Prince as Beckham and his team mates later signed soccer balls and posed for pictures.

A handful of Mandela's grandchildren, dressed in tracksuits and school uniforms, were given a reprieve from lessons to meet their sports heroes.

"I think he's the greatest player," said Zozuko after shaking hands with the England captain.

But another Mandela grandson Bambata was less awed by Beckham -- or at least his hairdo.

"It's ok, but I've had hair like that before," he said.