Herschel Jantjies scored a late try as South Africa fought back to claim a 16-16 draw with New Zealand and continue to lead in the Rugby Championship.
The other round two game saw Australia beat Argentina 16-10 in Brisbane.
The All Blacks led 16-9 as replacement scrum-half Jantjies, who had two tries on his debut in last week's win over Australia, crossed at the death.
Handre Pollard added the conversion to tie the game and keep the Springboks top of the table with one round to go.
All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick suffered a dislocated shoulder in Wellington but is expected to be fit in time for the World Cup, which starts in Japan on 20 September.
With this year's competition shortened to three rounds due to the World Cup, South Africa can win the Rugby Championship for the first time if they beat Argentina in Salta on Saturday, 10 August (20:40 BST).
Pollard kicked two early penalties at Westpac Stadium before Jack Goodhue's converted try gave the three-time defending champions a 7-6 lead at half-time.
Beauden Barrett stretched the hosts' lead with a penalty, while Jantjies came on early in the second half as the Springboks lost Faf de Klerk to a head injury assessment.
A Pollard penalty cut the deficit before All Blacks fly-half Richie Mo'unga took over the kicking duties from Barrett, adding two penalties to make it 16-9.
But on 79 minutes the Springboks found Cheslin Kolbe on the right and he chipped over for Jantjies to touch down, with the television match official ruling there was no knock-on as Jantjies challenged for the ball with Aaron Smith.
Pollard held his nerve to make the kick from out wide and keep South Africa above New Zealand due to last week's bonus-point win in Johannesburg.