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South Africa took a big step towards qualification for the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup on Wednesday (17th June), when the tournament hosts beat New Zealand 2-0 in Rustenburg.

The Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenberg was filled with a colourful and passionate crowd on Wednesday, as South Africa - ''Bafana Bafana'' - took on New Zealand in the second of their Group A matches at the Confederations Cup.

Following a nervous and error-strewn 0-0 draw in their opener against Iraq at the weekend, a whole nation was hoping for a more expressive performance and they got just what they wanted.

Thembinkosi Fanteni had the ball in the net on ten minutes, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Then midway through the first half, the lively Tsepo Masilela, Fanteni''s team mate at Maccabi Haifa in Israel, skipped past New Zealand''s Dave Mulligan and crossed for Bernard Parker, who scored with a left foot drive, much to the delight, if not relief, of the home support.

Parker might have grabbed a second before the break, but was thwarted by a last-ditch save from Kiwi ''keeper Glen Moss.
New Zealand''s best chance came from a Mulligan long throw which made its way to the far post - unfortunately for the ''All Whites'' skipper Tim Brown though, he scuffed his effort wide.

South Africa made it 2-0 seven minutes into the second half. Again the goal came from a Masilela-Parker combination, but this time the finish was even better.

That was that - there was never much chance of a New Zealand revival and South Africa might have scored a hatful but for Moss in the Kiwi goal as the match ended 2-0 to the hosts.

The win gives South Africa a great chance of making it to the last four from Group A - but they will have to rely on getting a good result against European champions Spain in their final group game and hope that New Zealand can do them a favour against Iraq to be sure of a place.