Elaborate preparations appear to have backfired with the team on a morale-sapping spiral of defeat and needing a boost, according to the coach.
Experienced Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira took charge this month for the second time, aiming to plot a revival of the country ranked 86th in the world after winning five out of 18 matches this year.
"We were desperate for a win because we have to try and boost morale," said Parreira after seeing his side draw 0-0 in friendlies with Japan and Jamaica.
Matches against tough opponents such as Chile, Germany, Ireland, Serbia and Portugal over the last year, all of which ended in defeat, have drained the confidence of South Africa's players.
The team's losing run cost Santana his job a few months after the hosts had run eventual winners Brazil close in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup in June.
"We should take that as a reference of the ability of the side," said Parreira.
GOOD SHAPE
"When the key players are in good shape and fit the standard of the team will improve quickly; I have no doubt about it."
Sepp Blatter, president of football's governing body FIFA, and local organising committee chief executive Danny Jordaan have expressed concern over the standard of the South African team and implied an early exit would spoil the tournament.
"I don't buy that," said former England goalkeeper Gary Bailey, now a television analyst in his native South Africa.
"At the 2008 European Championship joint hosts Austria and Switzerland went out early and that did not detract from a good tournament.
"When South Africa are eliminated the locals will switch to supporting the other African teams. It is not a South African World Cup after all but rather an African World Cup," added the former Manchester United player.
