As unlikely as it may have seemed, Bernard Parker netted the only goal of the game in the 56th minute to send the home fans into wild celebrations.
The warning signs were there, though, as the Spanish showed their class with several diagonal balls catching the Bafana defence cold in the early exchanges.
In fact, La Furia Roja had the ball in the back of the net in the fifth minute as David Villa got on the end of Xabi Alonso’s searching ball over the top and fired home, but the assistant referee had already raised his flag for offside.
But South Africa had several chances of their own and after two offside decisions, Oupa Manyisa had Spain fans on the edge of their seats as his scorching effort took a nasty deflection and looped onto the crossbar and out for a goal-kick.
Fernando Llorente had a good chance at the other end as he got a free header from close range, but the Juventus front man failed to direct his effort on goal before BonganiKhumalo went close for the hosts, with his header flying just wide from close range.
Both sides made several changes at half-time, but the World champions continued to pile on the pressure, but to little effect.
And South Africa made Spain pay for their profligacy in front of goal and took the lead in the 56th when Parker deftly chipped the ball over substitute keeper Victor Valdes, with Sergio Busquets unable to clear the ball before it crossed the line.
Alvaro Negredo was brought on to make a difference and came close to an equaliser with a left-footed effort, which flew over the crossbar, while Andres Iniesta had a driving effort from close-range blocked by Siyanda Xulu.
There was a moment of controversy in the 76th minute as Valdes collapsed with an injury on the edge of his own area, with Spain fresh out of substitutes after bringing on Juan Mata and Jesus Navas – the last of their allotted six substitutes – ten minute earlier.
Alvaro Arbeloa was set to go in goal, but the visitors were allowed a seventh substitute as Pepe Reina came on for the injured Barcelona stopper, something Gordon Igesund was not pleased about.
And Spain were counting their blessings as Tokelo Rantie broke free of the defence, but was unable to put his effort past the onrushing Reina. Rantie missed countless opportunities but it must be said his runs off the ball has improved magnificently.
South Africa pushed on with the wind firmly in their sails and forced another save from the on-loan Napoli goalkeeper.
However, their adventurous play nearly cost them the win as Negredo headed the ball into the path of Raul Albiol, whose first-time shot was denied by the excellent Man of the Match Itumeleng Khune.
Mere moments later, the referee brought an end to the game and confirmed a famous win for Bafana Bafana.
Meanwhile, following the substitution of more than six to 7 players’ during international friendly match that particular game would, according to FIFA rules, be classiefied as a practice match.
What it simply means is that, last night’s game falls out of FIFA rankings and players’ will not receive caps.
This is what irked coach Gordon Igesund, hence the commotion with official referees and Spain’s technical team.
