DURBAN, South Africa — In the land of Zulu king Shaka, Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz mirrored his spirit to some degree, digging themselves from a goal down to draw 1-1 with hosts South Africa in a friendly international yesterday.

In front of some 30,000 inside the breathtaking Moses Mabhida Stadium and a recreation of a World Cup match atmosphere, Linda Motlhalo gave Banyana Banyana the lead in the 25th minute.

But Jamaica’s talisman Khadija “Bunny” Shaw at her brilliant individual best drew her team level in the 57th.

The match, the first meeting of the nations in women’s football, pulls the curtains on a one-week Jamaica camp here in this seaside city of Durban.

For South Africa, the match-up served as a send-off party, their final home game before heading off to France where they will contest Group B of the Fifa Women’s World Cup against Germany, China and Spain.

Jamaica, like South Africa, will be making their debut appearance at the women’s game’s greatest stage. The Girlz will do battle with Brazil, Italy and Australia in Group C.

The result, even though the hosts had the better chances to score, could be deemed a fair day’s wage for both sides, for there was never a shortage of industry and raw guts as both punched it out to the very end.

In the early stages of the contest the hosts enjoyed the healthier share of the possession, but that time on the ball was spent mostly in their own half of the pitch.

But as the game feathered the South Africans would find little gaps that led into the Jamaican defensive area, but the Girlz held their shape well and were often calculated in closing down space and strays sneaking in.

Jamaica’s first real chance came in 17th minute when Shaw turned on a penny at the edge of the box after being fed by the cool Marlo Sweatman, but the final shot did not trouble Andile Dlamini, who gathered easily in goal.

But Banyana Banyana continued to prod and pry, until an ajar door down the Jamaican right side was breached by Lebohang Ramalepe. The latter then crossed low inside for Refiloe Jane, who went low for a header that chipped paint off the Jamaican upright on the way behind.

But the South Africans found their go-ahead goal in minute 25 when Linda Motlhalo took advantage of a defensive blooper to squeeze between two Jamaican defenders on the edge of the 18-yard box, and beat Nicole McClure with a low shot to her right.

Two minutes later the Girlz got a glorious chance to level the scores when the ball found favour with midfielder Chinyelu Asher, whose faintest of touches put her in sight of goal, but her firm low shot was too straight and Dlamini mopped up.

With the hosts growing in confidence, they continued to find ways to launch raids into Jamaican territory, testing the defensive resolve all the time.

In the 33rd minute the Girlz looked threatening, with skipper Konya Plummer making a probing solo run from deep in her half to the other side, creating the opportunity to get Shaw into possession.

The Jamaican striker, quick of mind, flicked the ball inside for Sashana Campbell, who did well to make inches of space to unleash, but the target shrunk in a flash.

Immediately after the turnaround the South Africans gave substitute Jamaica goalkeeper Sydney Schneider a hostile welcome when Rhoda Mulaudzi drove to goal, but the custodian was able to effect a one-handed save.

Jamaica got the equalising goal just before the hour mark from a very familiar source, and in typical fashion.

Asher, who was one of the standout performers in a Jamaica shirt on the day, played the ball to Shaw, who went on one of her bulldozing runs, gliding past two challengers before blasting home from just inside the box with that unforgiving right boot.

South Africa, unfazed by their opponents’ rally, launched a search for another go-ahead goal, and in one of those raids, central defender Allyson Swaby’s elbow came in contact with the ball in the 60th minute and a penalty was awarded by Mauritius Referee Maria Rivet.

From the 12-yard mark, Leandra Smeda rifled her shot onto the crossbar, to the collective sigh of relief by the Girlz.

But the South African threat continued into the closing stages with desperate defending by the Jamaicans, including a couple of death-defying saves by Schneider.

In the 85th minute Banyana Banyana erupted into wild celebration thinking they had found their go-ahead goal, but the referee ruled off-side after Kholosa Biyana got the ball in.

Thereafter, it was all a matter of winding down the clock from a Jamaican point of view, because they knew they were lucky to have tied the game after scary close shaves by a team pumped and wired into the vibe of its rapturous home support.

Teams : South Africa — Andile Dlamini, Lebohang Ramalepe, Nothando Vilakazi, Janine Van Wyk (Noko Matlou 45th), Mamello Makhabane (Kholosa Biyana 56th), Linda Motlhalo, Jermaine Seoposenwe (Amanda Mthandi 80th), Bambanani MBane, Refiloe Jane, Leandra Smeda, Rhoda Mulaudzi (Thembi Kgatlana 60th).

Subs not used: Jessica Williams, Karabo Dhlamini, Ode Fulutudilu, Tiisetso Makhubela, Nompumelelo Nyandeni, Kaylin Swart, Busisiwe Ndimeni, Bonkgaka Gamede.

Booked: None

Jamaica — Nicole McClure (Sydney Schneider 46th), Allyson Swaby, Konya Plummer (Toriana Patterson 60th), Deneisha Blackwood, Dominique Bond-Flasza (Chanel Hudson-Marks 79th), Marlo Sweatman, Laura Jackson (Olufolasade Adamolekun 46th), Chinyelu Asher (Ashleigh Shim 87th), Shaikira Duncan (Chantelle Swaby 46th), Sashana Campbell, Khadija Shaw.

Subs not used: Brittany Simpson, Jadyn Matthews, Christina Chang.

Booked: None

Referee: Maria Rivet (Mauritius)

Assistant Referees: Queency Victoire (Mauritius), Pauline Rasoanirana (Madagascar)

Fourth Official: Lindiwe Thwala (South Africa)

Match Commissioner: Maclean Letshwiti (Botswana)