McCarthy was unable to convert any chances against Jamaica
South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira believes the new partnership upfront will be fruitful despite the Bafana Bafana goal drought continuing.
Benni McCarthy and Katlego Mphela showed they were developing a good understanding as South Africa drew their last game of the year 0-0 at home to Jamaica.
Bafana Bafana have now netted just once in seven matches.
They have failed to score in the 385 minutes played since September's 1-0 home win against lowly Madagascar.
Although Carlos Alberto Parreira's side started incredibly brightly, they ran out of ideas after half-time to record a fourth successive blank.
Nonetheless, their second goalless draw, following Saturday's 0-0 with Japan in Port Elizabeth, has at least stopped the rot of eight defeats in nine games.
There were also positives to take from the clash in Bloemfontein, one of South Africa's ten World Cup venues, where Bafana Bafana were still missing the influential-yet-injured Steven Pienaar.
Kaizer Chiefs' Reneilwe Letsholonyane made a case for inclusion as he introduced some welcome attacking thrust after replacing regular central midfielder Macbeth Sibaya.
And up front, McCarthy and Mphela linked superbly at times even if they were unable to take one of the handful of chances they created.
The best came in the tenth minute after an eloquent move ended in a neat 1-2 between the pair, although the free-scoring Mphela could not convert from close range.
Once McCarthy was withdrawn after 68 minutes, seconds after midfielder Kagiso Dikgacoi had cracked a fine effort over the bar, the sting went out of the game.
"The problem with Benni is he is not getting enough game-time at his club, Blackburn Rovers, and isn't fit," said Parreira.
"But I have confidence Benni and Mphela will develop into a good partnership."
McCarthy had boasted in the run-up to his long-awaited international return that he only needed one touch to score, but three of his four first-half efforts were off-target.
I have confidence Benni and Mphela will develop into a good partnership.
South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira
After 24 minutes however, he did whip in a devilish free-kick from distance which Jamaica goalkeeper Dwayne Miller repelled with a flying save.
Moments later, Aaron Mokoena headed a corner over when unmarked but the South African captain had already earned praise after clearing off the line following Dane Richards' mazy run.
That was the closest either side came to a goal, although Jamaica's Omar Cummings should have done better late on when failing to direct a free header on target just seven yards out.
"We should have beaten Japan on Saturday and Jamaica here," Parreira opined.
"There's a lot of work to be done but let's remember the moments from the first half, when we had many chances but couldn't score.
"In the second half, Jamaica started wasting time and making replacements so I'm only taking the first half into account."
Brazil's 1994 World Cup-winning coach went on to express his dissatisfaction that South Africa's next scheduled friendly is not until March, when they play Chile.
Bafana Bafana's 18 internationals in 2009 produced just 10 goals and five wins, leaving Parreira - who took charge in October - with a great deal to do and not much time to do it.
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