JOHANNESBURG — Britain plans to give South Africa 42 million condoms for an HIV prevention drive before the Soccer World Cup, the Mail and Guardian reported yesterday.

This was in response to a request by President Jacob Zuma for an extra billion condoms for the expected influx of thousands of soccer fans, during his visit to the United Kingdom.

The UK’s International Development Minister, Gareth Thomas, was quoted as saying, “The South Africans have identified themselves the need to get more condoms in place. South Africa specifically asked for British assistance and we are responding to that request.”