South Africa's Olympic Games campaign came to end with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Mexico on Wednesday.
Following a heart-breaking last-gasp loss to France on Sunday, the South African named a couple recalls such with Thendo Mukumela and Kamohelo Mahlatsi given starts.
South Africa looked to grab the lead in the opening stages through Evidence Makgopa, but he dragged the attempt over the top of target from an awkward angle.
The Mexicans didn't leave the chance unpunished as shortly before the midway stage Alexis Vega charged in at the back-post to tap a low cross from the right-side past Ronwen Williams.
With Mexico in the ascendancy, South Africa could've staged a comeback from a corner-kick by Teboho Mokoena shortly towards halftime but the delivery didn't bother their counterparts at all.
Mexico went and took full control a minute from the interval after Luis Romo made use of poor defending from a corner for a low close-range finish in the area.
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David Notoane's boys were dealt another blow ten minutes into the second half as a yellow card to captain Tercious Malepe turned to a red for a poor challenge according after review on the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) monitor.
Mexico immediately made use of their numerical advantage and grabbed a third goal after Henry Martin ran clear of the defence following a sharp-turn to beat Williams with a composed finish.
At the same time, Notoane introduced their first substitution in fullback Reeve Frosler who came on to replace Kobamelo Kodisang.
Mexico did have a man dismissed too on 66 minutes with Carlos Rodriguez given a straight red card following a foul on Luther Singh.
A host of changes from Jaime Lozano followed late on after Singh looked for a glimmer of hope from a free-kick and Mokoena forcing Guillermo Ochoa to a save with a long-range strike, as Mexico confirmed victory and a quarter-final ticket.
Confirmed line-ups:
South Africa: Williams, Mukumela, Mohamme, Fleurs, Malepe, Mokoena, Kodisang, Cele, Mahlatsi, Singh, Makgopa
Subs: Mpoto, Monyane, Frosler, Mabiliso, Mosele, Ngcobo, Mahlangu