Two players scored twice for the first time in a single match for South Africa when Bafana Bafana moved closer to qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.
Two from Percy Tau and Themba Zwane each claimed a second victory over the small Sao Tome e Principe, this time 4-2 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
But it was again a difficult performance by the South Africans against minnows, who beat them 2-0 in Duran on Friday.
Sao Tome, who conceded the home advantage in this match, stunned South Africa with a 12th minute when Jocy struck a corner between a static home defense.
Dean Furman’s passage from midfield put Zwane on goal for the equalizer in the 38th minute.
It took until the 70th minute before South Africa continued when Zwane was able to score for Tau for the first day of the match.
But Sao Tome was back just four minutes later as the defense was caught again as it slumbered with Haramizz climbing powerfully to the top.
But when Ivanoldo was sent off for a second yellow card for nine minutes, the door was open for South Africa to secure a late victory.
With four minutes left, Tau broke away to shoot, which the Sao Tome goalkeeper just parried and Zwane hid the rebound.
Tau made it 4-2 a minute later when he broke away again, but this time himself ran all the way to score.
South Africa now have nine points in Group C with matches at home against Ghana in March and Sudan on the standings.