XABI Alonso's free-kick in extra-time enabled Spain to see off the plucky challenge of South Africa and clinch third place in the Confederations Cup.
European champions Spain, whose 35-match unbeaten run came to a shock end against the United States in the semi-finals, were lethargic for much of the encounter and appeared to be heading for defeat when Katlego Mphela put the Bafana Bafana ahead aft
er 73 minutes.
But two goals in the final three minutes from substitute Daniel Guiza turned the match around only for Mphela to send the game into extra-time with a blistering free-kick.
Spain sealed it when Liverpool midfielder Alonso curled a 107th-minute free-kick from the left into the area which eluded everyone and ended up in the bottom right-hand corner.
With the game scoreless, Vicente Del Bosque hauled off first-choice attacking duo David Villa and Fernando Torres just before the hour, replacing them with David Silva and Guiza.
And the changes did, briefly, spark Spain into life but just as the favourites were starting to look dangerous, South Africa scored, Mphela lashing home a Siphiwe Tshabalala cross.
Guiza equalised for Spain with a fine finish, then put them ahead with what appeared to be a cross to the far post that clipped the upright and went in.
With the final kick of normal time, Mphela lashed in a superb 25-yard free-kick to force extra time and Alonso's final act.
Spain: Casillas, Arbeloa, Albiol, Pique, Capdevila, Santi Cazorla, Alonso, Riera, Busquets (Llorente 81), Villa (Silva 57), Torres (Guiza 57). Subs not used: Diego Lopez, Marchena, Puyol, Pablo, Xavi, Fabregas, Sergio Ramos, Mata, Reina. Booked: Busquets, Pique, Albiol, Llorente.
South Africa: Khune, Gaxa, Booth, Mokoena, Masilela, Pienaar (Mphela 64), Dikgacoi, Sibaya, Modise (Van Heerden 69), Parker, Tshabalala (Mhlongo 84). Subs not used: Fernandez, Davids, Mdledle, Fanteni, Moon, Khumalo, Mashego, Gould, Baloyi. Booked: Pienaar, Mphela, Masilela.
Attendance: 21,500.
Referee: Matthew Breeze (Austrailia).