Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana and Zambia went into the half-time break level at 0-0 in their Nelson Mandela Challenge clash at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Wednesday night.
The playing surface recovered in time after fears that the field would not be ready, with American band Linkin Park having performed at the weekend.
The ground staff recovered a corner of the pitch that had been damaged by heavy rainfall during Saturday's concert, though patches of worn grass remained, particularly on one side of the field.
A strip in front of the goal, on South Africa's side in the first half, was covered with sand and grass shavings.
A small crowd of supporters turned out for the 18th edition of the Challenge - a repeat of the inaugural fixture in 1994, when South Africa edged Chipolopolo 2-1 at Ellis Park. - Sapa