Bafana have created their own style – Baxter

“If you look at the way South Africa played, what I think is interesting, is that we [South Africa] are developing a style,” Baxter said of Bafana’s impressive 1-0 win over Spain in an international friendly on Tuesday night.

“I think we’re growing more efficient, and I think we’re growing into a team that utilises what we have in modern football.

“We have pace, we have movement, we have hard work and we’re getting better organised.”

Having been in charge of the national team between 2004 and 2005, Baxter has first-hand knowledge of what it takes to lead the country’s brightest stars on the international stage.

“In football, sometimes we make it far too complicated,” Baxter added.

“That result on Tuesday night could have been 0-0, it could have been 2-0, it could have been 2-2.

“South Africa were really pumped up and they got back into shape very quickly. Spain, even with all their riches, were playing a little bit too slow and South Africa were able to pick them off.”

Baxter and current Bafana coach Gordon Igesund share the unfortunate statistic of not being able to guide their teams to the World Cup.

The Briton left his role as Bafana coach after he was unable to qualify the team for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, while Igesund missed out on qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Nevertheless, Baxter was confident Igesund was the right man for the job and insisted that under the former Moroka Swallows mentor, South Africa would continue to develop their enterprising style.

“The league is better organised, the coaching is better. Players are understanding systems of play and we’re growing a type of football that I think is interesting,” Baxter said.

“It’s quick, there’s pace and we’re attaching a little bit of emphasis on our defending, and therein, we’re getting more transitions and I think that’s an interesting way of playing for South Africa.”

– Sapa