Having negotiated a tough first round tie against Togo, and then an even tougher group phase featuring Ghana, Guinea and Cameroon, AmaGlug-glug had one final hurdle to overcome before qualifying for the 2000 Olympic Games.
A difficult away assignment against Oceania qualifier New Zealand proved just that: South Africa were a bit slow out the blocks and went behind after just 13 minutes when Paul Urlovic scored. A quick-fire double from Siyabonga Nomvethe and Quinton Fortune put them back on track, but Fabian McCarthy’s own-goal just past the half-hour mark levelled matters again.
The game looked to be heading for a draw until captain Matthew Booth rose highest to head home Jabu Pule's corner and give his team a famous win.