The opener came just seven minutes in, with some good interchange of play down the Costa Rican right. Roberto Cordoba played an incisive pass that found Reyes inside the penalty area. He delivered a precise cross to the back post, which found the sliding Kevin Masis with a left-footed finish.
Ntseki's team were made to rue those missed opportunities, as the Ticos doubled their advantage. Katlego Mohamme was adjudged to have handballed a Roberto Cordoba shot and Reyes slamsed the spot kick home, to the goalkeeper’s right, despite Mondli Mpoto guessing the right way.
In the closing stages of the game, Reeve Frosler's cross from the left flank found the previously profligate Mayo. His header looped over the stranded goalkeeper Barrientos and into the net. South Africa will gather themselves for their next clash against Korea DPR on Thursday, while Costa Rica face Russia in the day's other Group E clash.