Bafana Bafana have been afforded an AFCON lifeline, offering head coach Stuart Baxter the opportunity to redeem himself after the team's lacklustre performances in the group stages.
Bafana will take on hosts Egypt in the last-16 at Cairo International Stadium on Saturday after finishing as one of the four third-best-placed teams.
To say South Africa has been fortunate to stumble into the knock-out stages of the Africa Cup of Nations might be an understatement.
READ: Baxter on Bafana going via 'back door'
After being drawn into what was dubbed the 'Group of Death' alongside Ivory Coast, Morocco and Namibia, a rigid tactical system based on defensive solidity and structure was expected from Baxter, whose main strengths lie in his organisation and attention to detail when analysing and nullifying his opponents' strengths.
With this philosophy, the onus was placed on Themba Zwane and Percy Tau to create opportunities in the final third behind the tireless Lebo Mothiba in a narrow system aiming to break through central areas during swift counter-attacks.
However, it was evident in all three group games that it failed to have the desired impact while the lack of opportunities created was glaring, with no shots on target against the Elephants and the Atlas Lions.
Lorch waiting in the wings
With PSL Footballer of the Season Thembinkosi Lorch yet to feature a single minute at the continental showpiece, he may be the wild card selection the former Kaizer Chiefs boss could call upon to erase the predictability of our game-plan that quite frankly angered the nation in support of the national team.
The Orlando Pirates star might not hold the international experience and could possibly be overawed by the occasion in front of 75 000 fans at the Cairo International stadium, but what he offers is a sense of fearlessness in his approach going forward that could well inspire his teammates.
No need for drastic changes
By no stretch of the imagination should Bafana go all out attack and lay lambs to the slaughter on the counter and endure the same fate that neighbours Zimbabwe suffered against DR Congo.
There's no need for fundamental overhauls in the starting XI either, but rather minor tweaks aiding those selected to play their natural football of running at opposition defences - which has often been the achilles heel of North African sides.
READ: Baxter: There's many ways to win
The only other southern African representative in the knockout stages, Madagascar, are the prime example of playing without fear as they accompany the continent's elite in their debut campaign.
Bafana have nothing to lose against the tournament favourites spearheaded by African Footballer of the Year and UEFA Champions League winner Mohamed Salah.
There will be no shame in a last-16 exit at the hands of the hosts but there will be if South Africa come home without showing the passion and flair the national team is historically synonymous for.