The tournament favourites Algeria, "The Desert Foxes", came back from 0-1 to win 3-1 in their opening African Cup of Nations match played at the Estadio de Mongomo in Equatorial Guinea.
Algeria was the host nation and the champion of the 1990 African Cup of Nations, while South Africa hosted the Cup of Nations in 1996, when they were the champions, and more recently in 2013.
After being dominant in the first-half, the Bafana Bafana stars took the lead in the 51st minute, when Thuso Phala slotted a ball from Sibusiso Vilakazi from around eight metres.
The move was excellently crafted by Tokelo Rantie, who currently plays for Football League Championship side Bournemouth.
However, when three minutes later Vilakazi was brought down in the penalty area by Aissa Mandi, Rantie missed a chance to double Bafana Bafana lead as his penalty struck the bar. This proved to be the turning point in the match, when all the momentum was with Algeria, who came from behind.
The next upset for Bafana Bafana came when Thulani Hlatshwayo accidentally scored an own-goal in the 67th minute, to level the score at 1-1.
Five minutes later, in the 72nd minute, Faouzi Ghoulam scored Algeria's second goal with a venomous strike, and Porto's Islam Slimani added a third in the 83rd minute to put the game beyond doubt for the Desert Foxes (Les Fennes).
Slimani's shot from the edge of the area, trickled through Bafana Bafana keeper Darren Keet's legs and went over the line.
Algerian keeper M'Bolhi was impressive; he contributed well and kept the Desert Foxes in the game, after the Bafana Bafana were unable to convert any of their first-half efforts. He tipped over a shot from thirty-five metres out from Doncaster Rovers midfielder Dean Furman.
South Africa will feel as if it was a missed opportunity, as they dominated the game for more than an hour. Their last two group games are must win.
The victory now put the Desert Foxes in a commanding position in group C, ahead of Senegal who defeated the Black Stars 2-1 earlier.
