Bafana Bafana leapfrogged Uganda into top spot in Group K after claiming a 2-0 2in in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday afternoon.
Swedish-based Luke Le Roux was recalled in the absence of Themba Zwane while Evidence Makgopa was named in the attack, with Iqraam Rayners dropping to the bench after the 1-1 draw against Congo last month.
Bafana were keen to get going from the onset as the overlapping runs on either flank by Oswin Appollis and Khuliso Mudau pinned the host to their own half.
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Bathusi Aubaas nearly got the breakthrough with a header at the near post from Appollis' corner, but unfortunately his effort went wide of the mark.
The Cranes were persistent in the closing minutes of the half and pushed a lot of numbers forward, but the visiting nation remained compact at the back.
With the match tight all-round from either side, it then saw the first stanza conclude on a goalless spell.
The South Africans turned to the bench just before the second half and hauled Thapelo Morena on for Esperance midfielder Elias Mokwana.
Morena didn't take too long to make an impact after he intercepted a loose ball in the box as the host looked to build from the back and poked in from close-range, with Bathusi Aubaas playing a big role pressing high up.
Uganda nearly got level in the space of a minute from a route one which caught the visitors in sixes-and-sevens though the weight of the supply proved too much and rolled into touch.
The tempo became relatively even thereafter with the visitors gradually gunning for a second after substitute Iqraam Rayners slammed wide of the top corner on the volley.
Bafana were in control nonetheless and eventually got the second goal when Rayners played a floated ball to the back-post for Patrick Maswanganyi to bring in his stride and slot into the bottom-corner.
There were little to give between the two in the closing stages, with the visitors running down the minutes and collected victory.
Confirmed line-ups:
South Africa: Williams, Mudau, Mvala, Dortley, Modiba, Aubaas, Mokoena, Le Roux, Mokwana, Appollis, Makgopa
Subs: Chaine, Stephens, Mobbie, Basadien, Mbatha, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng, Ryaners, Titus, Sibisi, Ngezana, Morena