The result brings to an end Bafana Bafana's 18-match unbeaten run, though the home side were depleted after coach Stuart Baxter made 11 changes to the starting line-up from the team that won 2-0 in Nigeria in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the weekend.

It was also a weakened Zambian line-up that featured in the game and it looked as though South Africa would run away with it in the first half as they dominated the play and led through Lebogang Manyama's first international goal.

However, Zambia turned the tables in the second period as the home side took their foot off the gas and claimed a victory that eases the pressure on coach Wedson Nyirenda.

South Africa enjoyed the early possession, but they could not turn their dominance into attempts on target as Manyama and Tiyani Mabunda both had strikes wide of goal.

The home side hit the front on 23 minutes when Kermit Erasmus supplied an inviting cross and Manyama headed home.

Erasmus stormed into the box with a fine run, but fired well over the bar when he might at least have hit the target for the hosts.

The home side continued to impose themselves, with Percy Tau and Erasmus creating further openings, but neither could not trouble Allan Chibwe in the Zambia goal, and the hosts led 1-0 at halftime.

Tau picked out debutant Aubrey Ngoma on the left-hand side of the Zambia box early in the second period, but the winger's shot was off target.

Zambia finally began to apply some pressure early in the second half and Ronwen Williams, who had replaced Darren Keet at halftime in the home goal, had to make a fine stop from Donashano Malama.

The visitors did find an equaliser on 72 minutes though as Mwila rifled in a shot from the edge of the box that crept in off the post.

Manyama forced a good save from Chibwe, and Lebogang Phiri blazed just over the bar as the home side pushed to regain the lead.

It was Zambia who took the lead on 79 minutes after a slip by Williams allowed Mundia to sneak in between the keeper and defender Lorenzo Gordinho to score.

Chibwe made a good stop to deny Gordinho a late equaliser as he thrust out a hand to block a powerful shot, and Zambia held on for the morale-boosting win.