Head coach Hugo Broos has revealed that he only issued instruction to attacking midfielder Themba Zwane, who scored the opener as Bafana secured a 1-1 draw against Ivory Coast on Tuesday.
The talismanic midfielder was a welcome return to Broos' starting line-up having missed September friendlies against Namibia and DR Congo.
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Although Zwane was ineffective in a goalless draw against Eswatini, the 34-year-old showed his class when South Africa went up against The Elephants in West Africa.
Speaking at the press conference after the match, Broos revealed that he only had one instruction for Zwane.
"We know Themba [Zwane] is a very good player. So even in the beginning with South Africa he wasn't in the selection but I explained that it was his age. We were building a new team at that moment," Broos said.
"For me, it was important to [explore] what young players we had, but I have to confirm once Themba came here, the way of playing changed also – when we can reach Themba it's very important.
"You see the difference between Friday (against Eswatini) and Tuesday, this is someone you see where he has to put the ball, where he has to ask for the ball, so I don't have to tell him anything – the only thing I ask of him in every game is for Themba to try and have the ball as much as possible because that is important for us.
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"This is important for us, and the game itself. I felt already Sunday at training, that the attitude of the players that they wanted to give a reaction today and the reaction was there."
Bafana return to action with a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match against Benin on 13 November.
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