Bafana Bafana moved to the top of Group C with a 2-0 victory Lesotho in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday night.
Percy Tau earned a recall and lined-up alongside Relebohile Mofokeng, Elias Mokwana and Lyle Foster while Fawaaz Basadien started at left-back.
Mofokeng almost carved out the opener on five minutes from a diagonal run in the box, but steered well wide of the near post.
Bafana remained energised throughout the earlier exchanges, but had a scare moments later when former PSL player Tshwarelo Bereng curled wide from a close-range free-kick.
The host were least troubled as the closing stages to the half approached and saw the Jayden Adams slam a low shot from the area just wide of the target.
Burnley striker Foster got a perfect chance to break the deadlock with a diving header from a cross by Khuliso Mudau, but he fluffed his lines by sending his effort wide.
Foster went close again two minutes into the second half and fired against the foot of the post from outside the six-yard box.
Bafana made their dominance count in the 60th minute when an unmarked Mofokeng picked up a pass from Mokwana and opened his account in the colours of the national team with a composed finish.
Likoena trailed again four minutes later as a mix-up in the centre of the area resulted in a loose ball, which Adams gladly fired in the back of an unguarded net.
More danger loomed for the neighbouring nation through the all-out attacking approach of Mofokeng, Foster, Tau and substitute Thapelo Morena.
Fresh set of legs by Hugo Broos in the last ten minutes saw Thalente Mbatha, Iqraam Rayners and Bathusi Aubaas thrown on the field of play.
Bafana still had moments to add to the advantage in the final stages, but settled for a 2-0 victory and jumped to the top of the group in the World Cup qualifiers.
Confirmed line-ups:
South Africa: Williams, Mudau, Ngezana, Sibisi, Basadien, Mokoena, Adams, Mofokeng, Mokwana, Tau, Foster
Subs: Chaine, Goss, Kekana, Mobbie, Mbatha, Letlapa, Appollis, Maphangule, Rayners, Moloisane, Aubaas, Morena