Hamari Traore and Lassine Sinayoko struck as Mali beat South Africa in their Africa Cup of Nations opener.
Percy Tau sent a penalty over the bar for Bafana Bafana in a first half characterised by missed chances.
The pattern continued until Traore tapped in the rebound after Sekou Koita’s free-kick hit the woodwork.
Sinayoko seized on Kamory Doumbia’s pass to rifle the second from inside the box six minutes later and seal victory for the 1972 finalists.