At least three South African bodyguards at a time are providing around-the-clock security to the visiting Israeli karate team in Durban for the 2003 Karate World Cup.
Israeli government protocol dictates that sports teams competing overseas have armed protection at all times to thwart possible terrorist attacks. Durban, with its large Muslim community, is considered particularly high risk.
Since flying into the city on Monday, the 13 competitors and their managers have not moved an inch without the back-up of their security detail.
"They just watch our backs," said Israel team manager Amir Azulay. The 36-year-old spent 16 years of his childhood in South Africa before moving to Tel Aviv.
"If we'd been travelling to the US, we'd be more at ease. But there is a really big Muslim community in Durban and we didn't know what to expect," he said.
While at an open-air restaurant at Wilson's Wharf this week, the plainclothes bodyguards patrolled the team's "outer perimeter".
"There've been hundreds of threats against Jews around the world in recent months," he said. "The threat is constant; every day, all day, all the time."
Eight of the team are under 20 and two of them are Arab Israelis.
"I've taken these children from their parents and I've got to ensure their safety," Azulay said. "I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if we didn't have security."