Australia beat South Africa 1-0 in their soccer international as a full strength side again asserted itself against well credentialled opponents.

Marco Bresciano's first half goal was enough to secure the win in an entertaining match before a pro-Australian crowd of 16,108 at Loftus Road.

Australia's goal was under siege in the second half, with keeper Mark Schwarzer pulling off a couple of great saves, and the defence stretched to the limit as the Socceroos hung on desperately for the win.

Mark Viduka and Scott Chipperfield returned for the Socceroos in style after being suspended from one club game for missing Australia's match against Venezuela last month and were among the best players.

Harry Kewell was also busy in his return after he too missed the draw in Caracas but he and Viduka were both substituted with half an hour to go with the match still in the balance.

South Africa, which has reached the last two World Cups, dominated early but Australia worked its way into the game and blew it open with Bresciano's brilliant goal in the 19th minute.

From a throw in, Viduka trapped the ball just inside the area with his chest, flicked it over his shoulder and Bresciano latched onto the volley on the run to slam home the goal from 15 metres.

The Socceroos almost had a second two minutes later but Bafana Bafana defender Bradley Carnell scrambled back to clear Chipperfield's shot on the line.

The game's tempo immediately lifted several notches and the ball swept from end to end in a cracking first half, with Schwarzer tipping Shaun Bartlett's header over the bar in the 24th minute.

Bartlett blew a straightforward chance to equalise in the 37th minute when he waltzed into the area with only Schwarzer to beat, but sent the ball out.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP