The South African Football Association (SAFA) confirmed it would be making a second successive attempt to stage the tournament after a meeting in Port Elizabeth.
Last year South Africa failed in its bid for the 2006 World Cup finals after Germany won by a single vote in controversial circumstances.
SAFA's confirmation of its 2010 bid was widely expected and means South Africa joins rivals Morocco in the race. Egypt and Tunisia have also expressed an interest in hosting the finals.
Last week FIFA, world soccer's governing body, announced on its website that the principle of rotating the World Cup finals between the six continental federations would be accepted and indicated that Africa would begin the process in 2010.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter declined to confirm the decision leading to some confusion, but South African officials say they are confident the decision has been made.
Reuters
South Africa has officially stepped into the race to host the 2010 World Cup finals.
