Rangers midfielder Bongani Zungu impressed as he played a full 90 minutes in South Africa's less than convincing Africa Cup of Nations qualifying win over Sao Tome and Principe.
Many members of Bafana Bafana's large following had expressed their views that Zungu should start the crucial qualifier and manager Molefi Ntseki duly obliged.
The October arrival at Ibrox had begun Friday's qualifier at home against the same opposition on the bench but starred with his range of passing and a late goal to kill the game off.
But on Monday the 'home' side - the match was in fact played at a closed-doors venue in Port Elizabeth - grabbed a shock lead after just 12 minutes as Joazhifel's header found the net from a corner.
It was panic stations with that being their first goal in the entire qualifying group after four games but South Africa turned things around quickly - with Zungu involved.
He linked up with former Ibrox youngster Dean Furman, who released Themba Zwane for the equaliser.
Zungu was then denied by a solid stop from goalkeeper Aldair D'Almeida before Percy Tau put his side in front, only for Sao Tome and Principe to peg them back again.
Zwane and Tau then notched late goals to avoid an embarrassing result but the Rangers representative on the park put in another solid showing for South Africa, playing in a deep midfield role and starting moves that the wasteful attack failed to finish off.
They now top their AFCON group, though second-placed Ghana hold a game in hand.
