Yet, India batsman Virat Kohli maintained the tourists were the ones who showed "character."
"Give us any situation and we will look for a way to come out of it," he said.
Both teams also left the Wanderers relieved. They displayed frailty in places.
South Africa's fast bowlers wilted during Cheteshwar Pujara's 153 in the second innings and his double-century partnership with Kohli. South Africa then turned down a fairly gettable 16 from 18 balls at the climax of the test that would have delivered a world-record win.
India couldn't convert a massive 458-run lead in the final innings into victory with over a day to bowl out the South Africans, who were also a man down because of tailender Morne Morkel's ankle injury. A shaky India was ultimately grateful to three late wickets and a miserly last couple of overs to save it from an embarrassing and famous loss.
