Two players scored twice in a single game for South Africa for the first time as Bafana Bafana moved closer to African Cup of Nations qualification on Monday.

Two each from Percy Tau and Themba Zwane ensured a second successive win over tiny Sao Tome e Principe, this time 4-2 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

But it was again a laboured showing by the South Africans against minnows, who they beat 2-0 in Duran on Friday.

Sao Tome, who ceded home advantage in this game, stunned South Africa with a 12th minute goal as Jocy flicked home a corner in between a static home defence.

Dean Furman’s through pass from midfield put Zwane in on goal for the equaliser in the 38th minute.

It took until the 70th minute for South Africa to go ahead as a crisp set of passes saw Zwane tee up Tau for his first of the day.

But Sao Tome were back level just four minutes later as the defence was again caught napping with Haramizz climbing high to head powerfully home.

But when Ivanoldo was sent off for a second yellow card with nine minutes left the door was open for South Africa to claim a late win

With four minutes left Tau broke away to shoot, which the Sao Tome goalkeeper only parried and Zwane tucked away the rebound.

Tau made it 4-2 a minute later as he again broke away but this time ran all the way himself to score.

South Africa now have nine points in Group C with matches to come against Ghana at home and Sudan away in March.