Banyana Banyana forward Thembi Kgatlana believes Spain benefited profusely from the VAR decisions of the referee in their opening World Cup game.
Banyana came into their tournament maiden FIFA Women's World Cup with little expectations, but almost pulled off a shock against La Roja last weekend.
They managed to keep the Spanish, who were making their second appearance on the global stage, at bay while carrying a 1-0 lead for three quarters of an hour before being undone by controversial decisions influenced by the Video Assistant Referee.
Two penalties in quick succession and a questionable red card saw them lose their grip of the game and go on to lose 3-1, and Kgatlana – the scorer of South Africa's first WWC goal – believes they were extremely unfortunate to suffer defeat.
"Having scored that first goal against Spain, people were surprised. I mean, we led for about 20 minutes and people couldn't believe that South Africa could actually play," said Kgatlana.
"Yes, we're not happy about the VAR but it's nothing we can do – it's part of the new rules of football, and we have to adapt to it.
"I think with VAR goes with luck, and Spain were lucky on the day that they were given penalties to be able to get an advantage and then get the three points."
The CAF Women's Player of the Year also looked ahead to this evening's crucial encounter with 1999 World Cup runners-up China, and clings onto hopes of progressing to the knockout stages of the competition.
"It is a crucial game against China. We have two games left to get six points and possibly be number two in the group or best-placed number three, which is going to be huge for the country and for ourselves since it's the first time playing in the World Cup," she added.
"So, it's a crucial game for us to get points from, and China also want points after they lost to Germany. So, between us and them, someone has to get points and it will [have to] be played for."