Western Force winger Luke Morahan crossed for two tries for the Barbarians, who had to settle for a 31-31 draw after South Africa rallied late at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday.
The Springboks scored two tries in the final eight minutes to snatch the draw and avoid another demoralising loss for under-pressure coach Allister Coetzee in a warm-up for South Africa's Test against England next weekend.
The Baa-Baas, made up entirely of Super Rugby players from South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, looked like earning a third straight win over the Springboks when they led 31-19 into the 72nd after the second of replacement Morahan's two tries.
To the credit of South Africa, who included nine newcomers in the non-cap match, they bounced back.
Winger Jamba Ulengo, making his debut, made two great runs to set up tries for debutant centres Francois Venter and Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
Pat Lambie, captain for the first time, missed the last conversion from the right touchline that could have won a thrilling game.
Morahan almost won it for the Baa-baas in injury time but had the ball jolted from him on the South Africa tryline.
The Springboks have endured a tough year, losing five of their last nine Tests - most recently a record 57-15 thrashing by New Zealand in Durban.
Waratahs winger Taqele Naiyaravovo also got over the tryline for the Baa-Baas.
