A stunning fight back from hosts South Africa has left the Silver Ferns with plenty of questions to answer, after a shock 48-all draw at the Netball World Cup in Cape Town.
Heading into the final quarter with a 38-34 lead, New Zealand were outscored 5-2 in the final three minutes, as the home side snatched the draw.
The result should still be enough for the current World Cup holders to advance to the semi-finals, unless they suffer a heavy defeat to Jamaica in their final pool match, coupled with a large South African win over Uganda.
The stalemate could see New Zealand finish second in the group to set up a likely semi-final showdown against archrivals Australia.
Maia Wilson continued to lead the way for the Silver Ferns in the absence of injured shooter Grace Nweke, scoring a game-high 37 goals, supported by 10 from captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio.
Tiana Metuarau added to her bright start to the tournament as Nweke's direct replacement, landing one goal and creating a further seven, while Whitney Souness provided 11 assists from midcourt.
For South Africa, goal attack Nichole Taljaard was named Player of the Match, scoring 15 from 18 attempts while providing 10 assists.
New Zealand led by one goal after the opening quarter, but extended that to eight soon after halftime, before the Proteas scored five straight goals to close the margin.
The Silver Ferns still held the lead and possession with a few seconds remaining, but goalkeep Phumza Maweni intercepted a pass into the frontcourt and Taljaard was able to convert for the tie.
"There was 20 seconds on the clock and we threw a diagonal pass that Phumza had been eyeing up all quarter," explained assistant coach Debbie Fuller. "Full credit to South Africa - the heart they showed in the last quarter was massive.
"It was a huge experience for some people, but a great learning."
New Zealand face Jamaica on Thursday night.
Silver Ferns 48 (Wilson 37/41, Ekenasio 10/11, Metuarau 1/1) South Africa 48 (Van der Berg 22/26, Taljaard 15/18, Venter 11/17)
Join Newshub at 9pm Thursday for live updates of the Silver Ferns v Jamaica World Cup clash
