SuperSport United captain Thulani Hlatshwayo has highlighted the importance of a senior player like Percy Tau in the Bafana Bafana set-up.
Bafana took a giant leap towards 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification after 2-0 wins over Lesotho and Benin in the just-ended international break, with four games remaining.
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The match against Benin carried significance for Tau, who marked his 50th appearance for the senior national team - a feat still only reached by less than 40 players thus far.
Hlatshwayo, former captain of Bafana, has urged the national team to keep Tau around as senior players are important to the youngsters coming through.
"There's a lot of togetherness, the spirit around the team. Some say it's because there's a lot of (Mamelodi) Sundowns players, who have played in Champions League, in the starting line-up, has helped our national team," Hlatshwayo told journalists at the Honour Bafana Bafana Watch Party earlier this week.
"It's very important to keep experienced players around the team. Look at Ronwen (Williams), the caps he has now. You would think he should be over 60 already, and having Percy Tau there? Yes, there will be a loss of form, but he's been there, he's done it, and he's played in African football," added 'Tyson'.
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Aaron Mokoena, with 107 appearances to his name, is currently the most-capped Bafana player, with Khune (91) and Siphiwe Tshabalala (89) coming second and third.
"Having [Percy] there is crucial to have. A lot of players are now starting to approach the 50-cap club, and it's very important for the [younger] players to be playing with these players.
"Even when we had (Itumeleng) Khune, myself, (Andile) Jali, these senior ones were the [youngsters] coming into the team. It's no surprise to see them approaching 50 caps, having them is very crucial [for the squad]," he concluded.