The hosts of the 2010 World Cup South Africa beat the holders Spain 1-0 in a tactical encounter in Johannesburg in a friendly.
David Villa had two early goals chalked off for offside, but South Africa just edged a tight first half as the sides went in 0-0.
After the break the hosts' pressing game continued and they took a deserved lead through Bernard Parker's lob, and his side were able to hold on for a big win.
Read how the action unfolded below.
Hello everyone and thanks for joining me for tonight's friendly between South Africa and Spain. The visitors are returning to Johannesburg, the scene of their 2010 World Cup victory.
Both teams are taking part in their final fixture of 2013 and while Spain are continuing their preparations for the 2014 World Cup, South Africa are merely looking to finish the year strongly having failed to qualify for the tournament they hosted in 2010.
Right then, without further ado let me get tonight's teams across to you.
SOUTH AFRICA XI: Khune; Ngcongca, Nthethe, Khumalo, Matlaba; Jali, Furman, Manyisa; Claasen, Rantie; Parker
SPAIN XI: Casillas; Arbeloa, Albiol, Ramos, Monreal; Busquets, Alonso, Iniesta; Pedro, Llorente, Villa
So for La Roja it is a pretty strong team named by Vicente del Bosque. The good news is that Xabi Alonso, who was expected to miss out, does indeed play in the middle. There is also a start at left-back for Nacho Monreal.
The attack, as always, is very dangerous. In-form Juventus man Fernando Llorente will lead the line with Pedro and David Villa on either side. They are all very hard workers which, combined with that midfield full of competitiveness and creativity will surely be too much for the South Africans.
Up front for Bafana Bafana is Bernard Parker, who was one of the few shining lights from their unsuccessful qualifying campaign as he hit five goals. Key for the hosts tonight will be Itumeleng Khune in goal, who was recently voted South Africa's Sports Star of the Year.
In terms of the odds, Spain are big, big favourites. You'd do well to find better than 2/9 for them tonight, while you would get a return of £120 from a £10 bet if you were silly enough to back the hosts.
With the side Spain have out, I cannot look beyond a win for the European side. My prediction is 3-0, but that isn't to say South Africa will not get one or two chances to score.
KICKOFF: Here we go then, we're underway for what should hopefully be an exciting game.
A lot of good passing early on from the hosts and for once Spain are unable to get themselves on the ball. That is until Khune boots it straight out of play and Spain have a throw, from which they begin to find their bearings.
Villa has the ball in the net early on after going round Khune and tapping in, but he was several yards offside from Andres Iniesta's pass through. It does appear to be an offside trap game being played by South Africa tonight as Llorente is then caught out.
This is a good game plan early on from South Africa as they are playing Spain at their own pressing game. On the break Jali's pass is blocked by Alonso, before Villa again sticks the ball in but he was once more offside.
This is a good game plan early on from South Africa as they are playing Spain at their own pressing game. On the break Jali's pass is blocked by Alonso, before Villa again sticks the ball in but he was once more offside.
Another Spain player is given offside, and this time it's Monreal as he looked to get away down the left. He had the whole defensive line to look at so shouldn't have been caught off, although the replay suggests that this one was quite tight. No real chances as yet in what has been a tactical opening.
Another Spain player is given offside, and this time it's Monreal as he looked to get away down the left. He had the whole defensive line to look at so shouldn't have been caught off, although the replay suggests that this one was quite tight. No real chances as yet in what has been a tactical opening.
Good play from Matlaba down the left, who marauded forward from full-back. However, he was eventually closed down well by Arbeloa and he was forced back, ending the move. The African side are comfortable on the ball here, which is surprising Spain a little early on.
Spain are beginning to just about get on top at the moment, but are struggling with their usual fluid passing in the final third. A lot of credit for that has to go to South Africa who are pressing really well off the ball. They break through Rantie, who eventually runs out of space.
BAR! Good goalkeeping from Khune who got to the ball just ahead of Pedro as Alonso fizzed in a low through-ball. Then at the other end Casillas is beaten by a huge deflection, but Manyisa's shot clipped the bar on the way over.
So it's South Africa who have come closest, but we still have yet to have a proper chance as yet. Parker tussles with Ramos and both players appeal for a free kick, but it's just a throw for Bafana Bafana despite the protestations.
Villa is beginning to cut a very frustrated figure as he is again caught offside. He wanted the ball from Iniesta to come earlier, but he was a long way off when it did come in.
Remember the 2010 World Cup? Some is hazy, but I can certainly recall those vuvuzelas. They are certainly in full force as Llorente gets his first sight of goal from a cross, but he heads his effort wide. A little casual, that.
It's a spell of dominance - relative dominance - from Spain at the moment. That said, they still aren't quite seeing the whites of Khune's eyes, who gets the better of Llorente as the striker looked to control a cross.
I'll be honest: I was expecting better from this Spain side tonight. The movement is good until they near the South Africa box, but they are clueless around it at the moment as Arbeloa massively overhits a cross and the danger has gone.
Can either side up the ante with 10 minutes to go until the break? In truth, South Africa have looked most threatening as they have plenty of pace up front, but Parker has been wasteful as he loses the ball just then trying to take on two Spanish defenders.
South Africa have been particularly keen to close down Iniesta. The Barcelona man has constantly had at least two yellow shirts on his tail, but he managed to squeeze it wide there to Arbeloa, whose cross is parried somewhat clear by Khune. Very unorthodox goalkeeping, but he got away with it.
I'd be surprised if we had a goal now before the break. South Africa will be delighted with their showing against the world champions, but Del Bosque will not be best pleased at his side's inability to create chances.
We will have just one minute of time added on at the end of the first half. South Africa have a late corner, which will be the last action of the first 45...
HALF-TIME: South Africa 0-0 Spain
'International friendly' completely sums up that half of football, unfortunately. It has been a poor game with very few chances with Spain in particular very disappointing.
The closest either side came was through Manyisa, who saw a deflected effort from outside the box loop on to Casillas's bar and over. Other than that Villa had the ball in the net twice, but was well offside on both occasions.
I've been impressed with how Gordon Igesund's side have dealt with Spain today. They have played the world champions at their own pressing game and have really threatened on the break. The chance creation in the final third from both teams has left a lot to be desired.
As it is a friendly I would expect changes at the break, but especially from the visitors as it just has not worked. They seen more of the ball but have not won the midfield battle by any means.
The players are coming back out for the second 45, so not long until we get started again.
KICKOFF: Here we go then for the second half. Will we see a goal? There have been changes for both sides, so I'll bring the details shortly.
MISS! Shabalala, one of the subs, plays in Rantie. He takes the ball slightly wide but goes for all power and slashes his effort high of the near post. That's the best chance so far without doubt.
So the substitutions. Victor Valdes is on for Casillas and Santi Cazorla replaces Llorente for Spain. Tshabalala is on for Claasen for South Africa.
After the early chance Spain are on top of proceedings at the moment. That said, they are guilty of overplaying it - Pedro instead of turning and heading towards goal on the edge of the box passes heavily to Villa who cannot control.
CHANCE! That could well be the opening goal as Iniesta waited for the overlapping Monreal, but he put his effort low and made it somewhat comfortable for the sub keeper.
GOAL! South Africa 1-0 Spain (Bernard Parker)
That is a really good goal! Matlaba breaks down the left and the ball is played into the middle and then through first time by Mokotjo for Parker, who clipped it over Valdes and manages to squeeze it in. Here's an upset on the cards then!
Will the goal wake up Spain? Something has to because really they have been nowhere near their dominant best and in fact South Africa deserve their lead.
SPAIN SUB: Alonso is being taken off, with Juan Mata on for him. Jesus Navas is also on for Busquets. That suggests Spain will be a bit more direct now.
Still South Africa threaten on the break and it's more often than not down the left-hand side. Navas is penalised for hauling back Nthethe, which gives the hosts a dangerous free kick here.
The kick is aimed towards Parker but Valdes gets there first with a good punch. Spain have so far been shut out and even with the changes are really struggling to create.
Navas is having to do a lot more defensively than going forward at the moment as South Africa continue to look dangerous. Navas tackled Parker wide on the left to concede a corner.
Really good block there by Furman as Spain worked a move down the right and Navas cut across to Iniesta. As the midfielder looked to pull the trigger Furman was in quickly to block.
SPAIN SUB: That was Iniesta's last action of the game as he is replaced by Koke. Rantie is flagged offside as his team broke, but he was in his own half! Appalling decision!
Valdes is being helped down the tunnel after what looks like a pull. It could be his hamstring the way he's limping although he was holding his knee when he went down.
After discussions on the sidelines Spain have been allowed to bring on Pepe Reina, despite having used all their subs. We can now get back underway.
SAVE! Big stop from Reina there as South Africa almost made it 2-0. Manyisa really should have scored but he panicked somewhat and ended up shooting low at a comfortable height for the Napoli stopper.
BOOKING: Tshabalala goes into the book, presumably for words after giving away a free kick. Spain are running out of time now to equalise.
The vuvuzelas are in full swing as South Africa look to hold on for a really good win. Can they hang on for just a few more minutes? It does look like it.
Just two minutes left of the five added on. Spain, it has to be said, remain without a clear cut chance. Far from South Africa scraping this it will be a fully deserved win!
SAVE! Until now! Albiol reacts to a set piece and directs it goalwards, but Khune is across to parry it away! They're going to hold on here.
FULL-TIME! South Africa 1-0 Spain
Now there's an upset! South Africa beat Spain and they are fully deserving of it too. Del Bosque will not be happy at all with his players, who were outpressed tonight.
Thanks for joining me for this one. Please hang around for my analysis that will be on site in around half an hour and check the site for all the latest results and reaction. Goodbye.
Written by
Matt Domm
Matt Domm
