Bafana Bafana were unable to make it to wins in a row in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers following 2-0 defeat to Rwanda on Tuesday afternoon.
Injuries forced Bafana to call in Nkosinathi Sibisi for Mothobi Mvala whereas Orlando Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa dropped out for Mihlali Mayambela, who came off the bench against Benin.
Bafana were behind on ten minutes as Sibisi misjudged the flight of a high ball -leaving Innocent Nshuti to take aim and race down to find the back of the net.
The tails were up on the side of the Amavubi, who caused the South Africans more problems with a number of balls in behind as well as the wider channels of the field.
Rwanda extended their lead around the half-hour mark after a defensive error from Khuliso Mudau saw Gilbert Mugisha capitalise and side-footed past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
The away side looked to pull one back before the closing stages, with a one-two around the area by Themba Zwane and Teboho Mokoena but the host cleared.
In an attempt to reduce the deficit, Hugo Broos threw on Orlando Pirates striker Zakhele Lepasa five minutes into the second period and replaced Bongokuhle Hlongwane, as the visitors chased a comeback.
South Africa were a lot dominant on the ball in the second half as they went in search of a way back into the encounter, but they struggled to carve out clear-cut openings to trouble Ntwari.
With time running out, Bafana missed a glorius chance to reduce the deficit with 14 minutes left on the clock when Themba Zwane ballooned his effort over the targt in the box after some good work by Mayambela.
That proved to be the final clear-cut opening for the South Africans, who had to settle for their first defeat of the qualifiers.
The defeat also sees Bafana drop to second spot in Group C after being leapfrogged by Rwanda who have four points after the first two matches.
Confirmed line-ups:
South Africa: Williams, Mudau, Xulu, Sibisi, Modiba, Sithole, Mokoena, Zwane, Tau, Hlongwane, Mayambela
Subs: Mothwa, Goss, Mobbie, Makgopa, Cross, Adams, Lepasa, Xoki, Mthethwa, Mokwana, Appollis, Mvala
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