Verbeek swung the changes after 45 minutes - when Australia led 2-1 courtesy of goals from Mile Sterjovski and Josh Kennedy - and Bafana Bafana took control of the friendly.

But Verbeek was warmed by the efforts of the opening half.

"I'm very pleased with this game. Overall I'm very pleased with the performance," Verbeek said.

"I know most of the players and in second half brought in some new ones. We played very well in the first half but we were broken in the second.

"That's normal if you make changes but it's good to see all the players in action.

"My squad needs to be kept fresh at this stage of this season. There are still 11 places up for grabs for our first World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan."

He added: "When we had the ball I thought we played very well.

"Defensively we gave some chances away. I was not so pleased with that but that's normal - we had one day's preparation.

"Overall I was very pleased with the performance. The boys looked fresh and sharp,”

South Africa coach Joel Santana was less than impressed by the Australians.

His side produced some enterprising play in the second 45 minutes and Brazilian Santana could not resist a dig at his opponent's style.

"South Africa are similar to Brazil in the way they play - my players treat the ball with love and care," he said.

"That's why we play football. I would never want to play the way Australia play - my players don't have those characteristics."