Adelaide: South Africa doggedly batted out the final day to draw the second Test against Australia in Adelaide and leave the three-Test series all square on Monday.
All-rounder Faf du Plessis, playing in his debut Test, was the hero with an unbeaten century as the Proteas finished on 248 for eight ahead of Friday's final Test in Perth.
When stumps were drawn, du Plessis, who needed physio treatment for cramp late in the day, was unconquered on 110 with Morne Morkel not out eight.
The Australians need to win the three-Test series against the Proteas to take the world number one ranking from South Africa.
It was the second time the South Africans had batted out for a draw after denying Australia's unlikely victory push in the Brisbane opener earlier this month
Brief scores
Australia 550 (Clarke 230, Warner 119, Hussey 103, Morkel 5-146) and 8 for 267 dec (Hussey 54, Morkel 3-50, Kleinveldt 3-65)
South Africa 388 (Smith 122, du Plessis 78, Kallis 58, Hilfenhaus 3-49) and 8 for 248 (du Plessis 110*, Siddle 4-65, Lyon 3-49)
Result Match drawn
MOM Faf du Plessis (South Africa)