Bafana Bafana came from behind to rescue a 1-1 draw against Egypt in the African Nations Championship first-leg qualifier on Sunday evening.
A competitive eleven by coach Molefi Ntseki saw Neo Maema named captain, while Monnapule Saleng, Terrence Mashego, Jamie Webber and Donay Jansen were also among the starters.
Saleng got a chance to break the deadlock in the middle of the first period with a first-time shot from a cutback by skipper Maema, but the winger went well over.
Maema pulled an opening himself a little before halftime through a left-footed curler outside the box from a short run-up, but Mohamed Kassem pushed across and parried.
Bafana did have the ball in the net ten minutes in the second half when Tendamudzimu Matodzi headed in the bottom-corner from Saleng's cross, but it was flagged for offside.
The Pharaohs provided little threat to the host, but preferred to sit deep on the low-block structure and play on the counter-attack.
Coach Ntseki installed a fresh pair of legs a little later in the form of Aphelele Teto and former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siyethemba Sithebe.
It didn't sustain momentum as the North Africans hit the front when a long-ball from Kassem led to a knockdown for Hassan Abdelaal to volley in from outside the box.
Bafana weren't overawed and grabbed a the equaliser as America-bound Webber unleashed a belter from way out and found out the top corner in emphatic style.
The home team managed to hold onto the result afterwards and will meet the Pharaohs for the return-leg next weekend in Cairo.
Confirmed line-ups:
South Africa: Xulu, Mfolozi, Smith, Baloyi, Mashego, Luthuli, Webber, Maema, Saleng, Jansen, Matodzi,
Subs: Gumede, Sithebe, Teto, Hlongwane, Sam, Mini, Seabi, Tshobeni, Mhlongo, McCarthy