Strikes from Mile Sterjovski and Joshua Kennedy cancelled out Siyabonga Nkosi's opener to give Australia a deserved half-time lead.

The Socceroos dominated the first half but were assisted by abysmal South Africa goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, whose incompetence helped them to both goals.

But after the interval, when coach Pim Verbeek made a raft of changes, Bafana Bafana assumed control with some enterprising play - crowned by Modise's bullet finish.

Australia approached the match as crucial preparation for the last round of World Cup qualifying and Verbeek gave a large portion of his squad some game time.

Drawn alongside Japan, Bahrain, Uzbekistan, Qatar in Group A, they have a great chance of qualifying for 2010 with tonight's game the penultimate friendly before the serious business begins.

Star names Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton were missing, but they still paraded Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and West Ham defender Lucas Neill.

Benni McCarthy was South Africa's main draw and the Blackburn marksman could only watch as his side were forced to weather an early onslaught.

They were reduced to panic stations when McCarthy's club-mate Aaron Mokoena tugged back Scott McDonald on the edge of the area.

McDonald went tumbling down and Mokoena was booked, but Mark Bresciano's free-kick was easily cleared to safety.

Australia were bombarding the opposition box with crosses as they continued to display the greater fluency in attack, but there was little end result.

Sterjovski tried his luck from the edge of the area but his effort was easily blocked by Nasief Morris.

Australia looked in full control as South Africa scrambled to clear another incisive move, but then the 2010 World Cup hosts opened the scoring against the run of play.

McCarthy did the initial damage with a backheel into the box collected by Nkosi, who raced ahead and beat Schwarzer with a neat finish.

But Australia were level four minutes later when Vince Grella's long-ball was gathered by Sterjovski who easily chipped over a stranded and dithering Khune.

Normal service resumed with the Socceroos in control and in the 38th minute they crept into the lead.

Mark Bresciano floated in a simple free-kick which completely bamboozled Khune, giving Kennedy a free header which the Germany-based striker accepted.

South Africa started the second half brightly with Bryce Moon's good work being undone by last-gasp defending from Mark Milligan.

David Carney blazed narrowly over at the other end but Bafana Bafana were now dominating and equalised in superb fashion.

McCarthy showed composure to work Moon into space and the Panathinaikos right-back picked out an unmarked Modise, who produced an unstoppable finish.

Match Details
Qantas Socceroos 2 (Mile Sterjovski 25’, Josh Kennedy 38’)
South Africa 2 (Siyabonga Nkosi 21’, Teko Modise 58’)
Tuesday 19 August 2008
Loftus Road Stadium, London, England
Referee: Mr Howard Webb (England)
Assistant Referees: Mr Dave Richardson (England) & Mr Peter Kirkup (England)
Fourth Official: Mr Andre Marriner (England)

Qantas Socceroos: 1.Mark SCHWARZER (gk), 2.Lucas NEILL (c)( 4.Mark MILLIGAN 46’), 3.Scott CHIPPERFIELD (11.David CARNEY 46’), 5.Jason CULINA, 7.Scott McDONALD (10.Brett HOLMAN 46’), 8.Luke WILKSHIRE, 9.Joshua KENNEDY (12.Bruce DJITE 73’), 13.Vincenzo GRELLA (14.Carl VALERI 62’), 16.Chris COYNE, 21.Mile STERJOVSKI (20.Richard GARCIA 62’), 23.Mark BRESCIANO.

Substitutes Not Used: 6.Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 18.Michael PETKOVIC (gk), 19.Nick CARLE.

Yellow Cards: Chris Coyne 87’.

Red Cards: Nil

South Africa: 16.Itumeleng KHUNE (gk), 3.Bradley CARNELL, 4.Aaron MOKOENA, 5.Nassief MORRIS, 6.Macbeth SIBAYA, 8.Siphiwe TSHABALALA (9.Surprise MORIRI 66’), 10.Teko MODISE, 17.Benedict McCARTHY (11.Lefa TSUTSULUPA 73’), 18.Siyabonga NKOSI (15.Sibusiso ZUMA 65’), 20.Bryce MOON, 21.Kagisho DIKGACOI (7.Lance DAVIDS 78’).

Substitutes Not Used: 1.Moeneeb JOSEPHS (gk), 13.Bongani KHUMALO, 23.Nazeer ALLIE, 19.Bevan FRANSMAN, 22.Innocent MDLEDLE, 12.Thulasizwe MBUYANE, 14.Matthew PATTISON, 24.Dean FURMAN.

Yellow Cards: Aaron Mokoena 7’, Benedict McCarthy 30’.

Red Cards: Nil