Banyana Banyana grabbed a 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso in their 2024 Africa Women's Cup of Nations qualifier first-leg on Thursday evening.
Captain Janine Van Wyk earned a landmark appearance and became the joint most-capped player on the continent to match Egyptian legend Ahmed Hassan's 184 appearances.
Both teams started too conservative given the stakes involved and focused on sussing out each other before looking to carve out any chances to goal.
With a water-break called due to trying conditions, the South Africans remained courageous and grabbed the front-foot through Kgatlana but it was called for offside.
The women of the moment Van Wyk didn't last the full match but was substituted ten minutes before halftime by coach Desiree Ellis, who hauled Kholosa Biyana on the park.
Banyana didn't lack rhythm following Van Wyk's withdrawal but were inches off from the lead through Noxolo Cesane, but Burkina Faso goalkeeper Ismahila Ouedraogo courted.
Following the second half, Banyana were pinned back and needed sharp reflexes between the sticks from Dlamini to keep them alive.
The defending champions bounced back and hit the front ten minutes later through a tremendous log-range finish from Hildah Magaia.
Burkina Faso encountered further pressure a few minutes apart after Kholosa Biyana got a chance to double the lead but fired off the upright.
However, the host showed resilience following the subdued moment and levelled matters well inside the midway point of the second period.
Banyana did aim to regain the lead but were unable to do so and had to settle for a 1-1 draw ahead of the return-leg in four days.
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