Teboho Mokoena's penalty kept South Africa's dream of reaching the World Cup knockout stages alive after a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic in Atlanta on Thursday.
Michal Sadilek's early opener had the Czechs on course for just their second World Cup win as an independent nation.
Both sides move onto one point, two behind co-hosts Mexico and South Korea, who face off later on Thursday.
South Africa next face South Korea, while the Czech Republic take on the daunting task of playing Mexico in the Estadio Azteca.
Mokoena confidently drilled home the spot-kick for his nation's first World Cup goal in 16 years.
They came close to a second five minutes later when Matej Kovar saved from Relebohile Mofokeng.
