Bafana Bafana captain Thulani 'Tyson' Hlatshwayo is relieved to have won the race against time to regain full fitness ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

Bafana could not afford another captain in the team with goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune already missing out on the Afcon. The Soweto-born skipper, Hlatshwayo, missed the last two league games for his club side Bidvest Wits due to a hamstring injury.

"I missed the last two games against Baroka and Arrows. I spent some time at the physio and did my check-ups so I am okay," he said. "I have been played in different positions this season and injuries are part of the game. But I am back to full fitness now."

SA have a lot to prove in the tournament in Egypt after an unconvincing run in the qualifiers of the competition.

The 29-year-old acknowledges that Bafana did not paint themselves in glory as it went all the way to the final qualifying against Libya, which they won 2-1, to book their ticket.

"They say you are as good as your last game, so it's about going back and fix the mistakes that you make," he said. "There is always pressure and we put ourselves here and we have to make sure that we take ourselves out."

South Africa are drawn in the "group of death" along with giants Ivory Coast, Morocco and Namibia.

They will face the Elephants in their opening Group D match on June 24.