Agudelo, who turns 18 next week, scored from close range after being fed through by another new cap, Norwegian-born Mikkel Diskerud.

Defeat was South Africa's first in four matches since hosting the World Cup in June and July.

With both sides electing to play a host of fringe players, the match provided few real chances although it was dominated by the midfield toil of Steven Pienaar, captaining South Africa for the first time.

The hosts handed a debut to striker Davide Somma, born in Johannesburg but raised in the US, and he was involved in a sharp one-two inside the first quarter-hour with fullback Anele Ngcongca, who came storming down the right flank but had his effort on goal smothered by American goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Guzan made a similar stop off his line to deny Bernard Parker in the 20th minute as Bafana Bafana picked up the tempo in front of a sell-out crowd of 52 000 at the Green Point Stadium, one of the 10 World Cup venues.

The US had their first effort after 22 minutes when Robbie Rogers shot unmarked from the edge of the area but his effort was saved.

A bevy of second half changes meant the game lost some of its sting and as Pienaar tired so even more of the tempo was lost.

But the Everton midfielder did have a mazy run after picking up on a loose ball in the 72nd minute but his shot was half-blocked in South Africa's best chance of the second half.