Thanks to their never-say-die attitude Bafana Bafana have established an ideal launch pad to shoot for glory in the Africa Cup of Nations after pocketing four precious points in their opening two matches.
Bafana displayed a commendable fighting attitude when they drew 2-2 with Uganda in Johannesburg, before a heroic 3-2 win over South Sudan in their second outing.
In both matches, Bafana fought to the death and it was thanks to late goals that they were able to keep their Afcon dream alive.
The mettle of the team came to the fore when they fought back after conceding an early penalty against South Sudan.
In previous seasons such a setback would have demoralised Bafana's players who on occasions wilted under the pressure after falling behind.
That Bafana were able to stage a fightback and win the clash, provided further evidence of the positive strides the players have made under coach Hugo Broos' stewardship.
With the Betway Premiership now in full swing, Broos expects his players to be in better shape when they face Congo in back-to-back qualifiers.
The first match in the crucial double-header will played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Friday.
Broos lamented a lack of sharpness against South Sudan and Uganda saying it was because the players did not have enough competitive game time under their belts.
Bafana were also without regular skipper and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who was recovering from injury, and his absence did not help SA's cause.
Bafana won many sceptics over because they had to contend with a hostile South Sudan crowd in Juba, as well as an artificial pitch.
Pundits feel Broos has instilled a no-fear, winning culture in the team and has retained most of the players who helped Bafana secure a medal at the Afcon in Ivory Coast early this year.
SA have conceded four goals in their opening games and Bafana's defence must be tightened if the team want to continue making progress in the tournament.
The acid test for this ambitious Bafana side will be the double-header against a dangerous Congo outfit.
SA must make full use of home-ground advantage in Gqeberha on Friday.
HeraldLIVE
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