It was a fantastic performance from the side against a Zambian team that will also be at the continental finals, with several standout displays.
Bafana coach Hugo Broos said he wanted to win the game to potentially boost his side’s ranking ahead of the 2026 World Cup draw next month and they will certainly have achieved that.
It also takes their unbeaten run under him to 25 games, notwithstanding the World Cup qualifier fixture against Lesotho in March that they won 2-0 but was later overturned by FIFA.
"We didn't play our best game today but there were good moments and we did what we had to do," South Africa coach Hugo Broos said.
"Mohau (Nkota) came in and did very well, very aggressive and dangerous. But we did not do that enough today. The tempo of the game was not high enough, but that can happen.
"Every moment there can be an injury and a suspension and you have to be ready. Today was the day to give other players a chance."
South Africa took the lead on 43 minutes with another goal from Oswin Appollis, who continues his excellent season for club and country.
It was a neatly taken goal too, as a quick break saw him played into space on the edge of the box with a brilliant pass from Sipho Mbule, and he slipped the ball past the goalkeeper. He continues to be one of Bafana's star players of the last 12 months.
Their advantage was doubled on 62 minutes by another of the young players who have helped Bafana find their mojo again.
Twenty-year-old Mohau Nkota was played in behind the Zambia defence by Mbule again and, while they were able to scramble back and cover, he picked his spot and curled a beautiful shot into the far corner. It was a class finish.
Mbule has resurrected his international career in recent months, helped by injuries to others. But you still have to take your chance, and while he might not have been sure of going to the Cup of Nations, this performance should seal the deal. He was strong and commanding, and made Bafana tick in attack, providing two assists.
Yaya Sithole scored his first goal in a Bafana Bafana shirt when he headed in a corner for a simple third late on. Zambia will be frustrated with their defending, it was far too easy for Sithole, but you still have to put the ball into the back of the net.
Bafana were denied a clean sheet when Zambia got on the scoresheet in injury time. Joseph Sabobo got in behind the defence and rolled the ball past substitute goalkeeper Sipho Chaine to give the visitors some joy on the day, but it was far too little, too late.