Johannesburg - Teko Modise wants Bafana Bafana to severely improve when they tackle Uruguay at Loftus on Wednesday night.
The playmaker admitted the national team struggled in their World Cup opening game against Mexico, who dominated the first half at Soccer City.
South Africa recovered after the break and could have picked up a three-pointer, but Modise rated the side's performance as a six out of ten.
When asked what he thought Bafana's level of performance was, Modise told Football365.co.za: "I would say 6/10. We can still do better.
"We don't want to fool ourselves. We didn't do well... so we need to start doing better.
"I know for sure that's what all the guys in the team want to see happen and it will start happening, hopefully against Uruguay."
Group A is wide open after France and Uruguay played out a goalless draw last Friday.
Modise believes that if Bafana play their own brand of football, the side will secure a place in the knockout stage.
"It was easy when we played our style against Mexico, but when they forced us to play their style of play they pressed us a lot," he added.
"We started panicking and we started doing mistakes. I think second half we were much better because we had the confidence at that stage of the game and we were playing our own game.
"As long as we play our normal game we will come out of it alright."
The Orlando Pirates ace admitted he is still gutted after missing a one-on-one chance against Mexico. "I'm just grateful now that we didn't lose the game... with the chance I missed it is still playing in my mind and next time I have to do better than that," Modise concluded.
The playmaker admitted the national team struggled in their World Cup opening game against Mexico, who dominated the first half at Soccer City.
South Africa recovered after the break and could have picked up a three-pointer, but Modise rated the side's performance as a six out of ten.
When asked what he thought Bafana's level of performance was, Modise told Football365.co.za: "I would say 6/10. We can still do better.
"We don't want to fool ourselves. We didn't do well... so we need to start doing better.
"I know for sure that's what all the guys in the team want to see happen and it will start happening, hopefully against Uruguay."
Group A is wide open after France and Uruguay played out a goalless draw last Friday.
Modise believes that if Bafana play their own brand of football, the side will secure a place in the knockout stage.
"It was easy when we played our style against Mexico, but when they forced us to play their style of play they pressed us a lot," he added.
"We started panicking and we started doing mistakes. I think second half we were much better because we had the confidence at that stage of the game and we were playing our own game.
"As long as we play our normal game we will come out of it alright."
The Orlando Pirates ace admitted he is still gutted after missing a one-on-one chance against Mexico. "I'm just grateful now that we didn't lose the game... with the chance I missed it is still playing in my mind and next time I have to do better than that," Modise concluded.