Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
The giraffe-like support structures at Mbombela Stadium all look away from the on-field action, into the Mpumalanga province beyond.
- Gallery: Bafana thrash Thailand
Had one of the giraffes turned their head around on Sunday afternoon, he or she may well have looked down on the festivities, chewed on an imaginary leaf, and nodded in approval.
A raucous, passionate crowd were certainly worth a look, a vibrant indication of how feverish the World Cup 2010 matches played here just might be. And their merriment was increased by a worthy display from Bafana Bafana, particularly in the first half, when they tore Thailand to pieces.
Bryan Robson's Thailand side, to put the result into some context, were awful in that opening period, and not much better after the break, when Carlos Alberto Parreira's side missed plenty of chances to increase their lead, before Bernard Parker finally slid home a fourth. However, as a confidence booster ahead of far trickier times, this will do very nicely indeed.
It equalled, for the record, South Africa's biggest ever margin of victory at international level.
Thailand, though, have never been world-beaters in the beautiful game.
Parreira, perhaps sensing that this was a game in which he could afford to be positive, fielded the more attack-minded Reneilwe Letsholonyane in place of Lance Davids.
And it was the Kaizer Chiefs midfielder who provided the first sublime pass of the game, finding Siphiwe Tshabalala on the left wing. His low cross picked out Mphela, but the Sundowns man produced a total air-kick. That was one of the few occasions Tshabalala actually got wide down the flanks, with him and Modise both preferring to push into the central midfield area.
Bafana knocked the ball around in relaxed fashion, given an extraordinary amount of space and time by Thailand. On the contrary, Bafana harried the Thai players well when they did not have the ball. On 16 minutes, Gaxa and Mphela robbed Nattaphong Samana while he dithered in the left-back spot, sparking an attack that resulted in Surprise Moriri dragging a poor shot wide of goal.
The opener, however, was not long in coming. The Kenyan referee Samuel Langat gave a dubious free-kick for what looked a fair challenge by Sutil Suksomkit on Modise. Tshabalala stepped up and curled the free-kick through the wall, beating Kawin Thamasatchanan.
The crowd went absolutely ballistic, and there was more to come. Tshabalala produced an absolute rocket that was well stopped by Thamasatchanan. But the Chiefs winger's resulting corner was headed towards goal by Bongani Khumalo, and Mphela turned the ball home on the line. And three minutes later, lovely link up play between Tshabalala and Modise released Mphela, who again beat Thamasatchanan.
Thailand managed to force a corner just after the break, their first of the game, but it was Bafana who had another great chance to score, Mphela bursting onto Siyabonga Sangweni's hopeful punt, but shooting across the face of goal and wide.
The Sundowns striker was probably never going to get a better chance of nabbing an international hat-trick, and was just off target again when he got his head to an excellent Lucas Thwala cross. Then he missed an even better chance, shooting straight at substitute 'keeper Sin Kaithairattanakol.
Siyabonga Nomvethe eventually replaced Mphela, and delighted the crowd with a low shot straight at the 'keeper.
"Bhele" then had the ball in the back of the net, turning in Gaxa's cross, but the off-side flag had already gone up.
Another substitute, Parker, then put gloss on the scoreline, breaking clear and shooting low and assuredly home.
Scorer:
Tshabalala 22, Mphela 30, 33, Parker 90
BAFANA PLAYER RATINGS
Itumeleng Khune 7/10
The 'keeper could have spent most of this game sitting in his dressing gown and slippers and smoking a pipe, so little did he have to do. He remained alert, however, and did well to stop Datashorn Thunelao's second- half shot.
Siboniso Gaxa 5
Given that Gaxa was so untested defensively, he ought really to have moved forward more than he did.
Bongani Khumalo 8
Khumalo is fast becoming the most likely partner for Aaron Mokoena in Bafana's World Cup opener against Mexico. Added an attacking threat, creating Mphela's opener.
Siyabonga Sangweni 7
Another solid performance from Sangweni, though again, the nature of the opposition meant he was never truly tested. Replaced by Booth.
Lucas Thwala 6
Another full-back who ought really to have provided more width for his country, though when he did push forward, he supplied some of Bafana's more dangerous crosses.
Teko Modise 7
Benefited from the space afforded him by the Thailand defence, but his passing was assured, and he produced a brilliant through-ball to Mphela to set up Bafana's third goal.
Thanduyise Khuboni 7
Khuboni continues to do the simple things well, endearing himself to Parreira, who keeps picking him in defensive midfield. An assured presence in front of his back four.
Reneilwe Letsholonyane 6
Showed glimpses of his plentiful skills, with one particularly well-judged crossfield ball to Tshabalala. However, he was also sometimes sloppy in possession, giving the ball away poorly.
Siphiwe Tshabalala 9
Scored the first goal with a well-taken free-kick and set up the second from a corner, before which his rasping drive was well saved by the Thai 'keeper. His clever back-heel also allowed Modise space to set up Bafana's third. My Man of the Match.
Surprise Moriri 5
Not a good performance from the Sundowns striker, who failed at times to match the energy of his teammates. Lacks pace, and usually makes up for it with his guile, but not here.
Katlego Mphela 8
He scrambled in both his goals, but it doesn't matter how you hit the back of the net, and Mphela is the sharpest striker this country has at present.
Bernard Parker 7
Came on for Moriri and put his hand up with a late goal.
Lance Davids 6
Replaced Letsholonyane on 65 minutes, and was bright enough in midfield.
Innocent Mdledle 6
Replaced Thwala on 65 minutes and had little to do.
Moeneeb Josephs 6
Came on for Khune on 67 minutes and had nothing to do.
Matthew Booth 6
Came on for Sangweni after 74 minutes, and also had little to do.