Eleven students are infected with swine flu following a squash tournament at the University of Johannesburg late last week, taking the total number of cases in South Africa to 29, the health ministry said on Monday.

"The 11 cases, all university students, presented with flu-like symptoms at various medical centres and confirmed positive by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases," said spokesperson Fidel Hadebe.

"To date, the total number of cases reported in the country is 29."

Apart from the 11 new student cases, several other cases of swine flu were also confirmed in the past week, bringing the total number of cases to 29, explained Hadebe.

Another five students were showing flu-like symptoms but it had not been confirmed that they were suffering from swine flu.

"A total of 16 cases have been linked to [the] university sports event in Gauteng. The majority are males who shared the same residence and were squash players," said Hadebe.

He said the squash tournament took place late last week at the University of Johannesburg.

"The patients appear to have mild illness, no complications so far and are being managed in accordance with the World Health Organisation and the department of health guidelines."

All the participants at the games had been informed of their possible contact with the disease.

"All the other associated contacts will be followed up and given the necessary advice.

"The participants that attended the games came from different parts of the country and the likelihood of more cases from different provinces is expected," said Hadebe.

Anyone experiencing fever, a sore throat, runny nose, cough or muscle pain within seven days after contact with an infected person must seek medical health, he added.