Bafana Bafana have been drawn alongside Morocco, Ivory Coast and Namibia in Pool D of the African Cup of Nations.
And while many will see this as a Group of Death, South Africa coach Stuart Baxter believes it is his team that has to be feared when the tournament kicks off in Egypt in June.
Baxter tells the Safa website: “When I say it is a good group, it is a great challenge for the group of players we have at the moment and their development.
“It is a group we can really have a go at without any feeling of inhibitions.”
While Baxter knows two-time winners of the tournament Ivory Coast (their last title coming in 2015) and 1976 winners Morocco will be tough opponents, he says his side will be a tricky proposition too.
The Englishman explains: “They will also feel we are a dangerous opponent.
AFRICAN GIANTS: Wilfried Zaha and Ivory Coast. Photo: Legnan koula/EPA.
“In the same breath, we should not discount Namibia, considering the way they qualified, they will not be an easy target for anybody.
“So in terms of this group, I think it is a difficult one but a good one.”
PREVIOUS WINNERS: Morocco have Afcon pedigree. Photo: Supplied.
Defending champions Cameroon, meanwhile, have been drawn alongside Ghana, Benin and Guinea-Bissau.