Teko Modise's superb goal earned South Africa a 2-2 draw with Australia in their friendly at Loftus Road.
All-square at Loftus Road
Teko Modise's superb goal earned South Africa a 2-2 draw with Australia in their friendly at Loftus Road.
Strikes from Mile Sterjovski and Joshua Kennedy cancelled out Siyabonga Nkosi's opener to give Australia a deserved half-time lead.
The Socceroos dominated the first half but were assisted by abysmal South Africa goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, whose incompetence helped them to both goals.
But after the interval, when coach Pim Verbeek made a raft of changes, Bafana Bafana assumed control with some enterprising play - crowned by Modise's bullet finish.
Australia looked in full control as South Africa scrambled to clear another
incisive move, but then the 2010 World Cup hosts opened the scoring against the run of play.
Benni McCarthy did the initial damage with a backheel into the box collected by Nkosi, who raced ahead and beat Mark Schwarzer with a neat finish.
Equaliser
But Australia were level four minutes later when Vincenzo Grella's long ball was gathered by Sterjovski - who easily chipped over a stranded and dithering Khune.
Normal service resumed with the Socceroos in control and in the 38th minute they crept into the lead.
Bresciano floated in a simple free-kick which completely bamboozled Khune, giving Kennedy a free header which the Germany-based striker accepted.
South Africa started the second half brightly with Bryce Moon's good work being undone by last-gasp defending from Mark Milligan.
Dean Carney blazed narrowly over at the other end but Bafana Bafana were now dominating and equalised in superb fashion just before the hour mark.
McCarthy showed composure to work Moon into space and the Panathinaikos right-back picked out an unmarked Modise, who produced an unstoppable finish.
