Bafana led 2-1 heading into the 90th minute before a defensive lapse from Olwethu Makhanya allowed Ryan Ogam to charge towards goal, and his superb finish earned a point for the Harambee Stars.
South Africa still top their qualification group, one point ahead of Guinea, but their trip to West Africa to face their nearest rivals is now looking all the more crucial.
It is the third time Bafana have conceded a goal in the 87th minute or later to alter the outcome of an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier since the start of the campaign for the 2023 finals.
The first was a 2-1 away defeat to Morocco in June 2022, when Ayoub El Kaabi scored a winner in Rabat.
Their next qualifier was a 2-2 draw with Liberia in March 2023 that left Broos so furious he refused to speak to the media afterwards.
Bafana had led 2-0 at Orlando Stadium before conceding twice in the final 22 minutes, including a 90th-minute equaliser from Mohammed Sangare.
Broos will have had flashbacks as he watched Friday’s game against Kenya from the stands.
It is in contrast to South Africa’s record in World Cup qualifiers, where they have not conceded a goal beyond the 70th minute in 10 matches since November 2023.
They were able to see out games defensively, a key factor in their qualification for the 2026 global finals.
But the closing stages have not been Bafana’s most vulnerable period over the past four years.
In all Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers since June 2022, almost a third of the goals they have conceded have come in the opening 15 minutes of the second half.
During that period, Bafana have played 23 qualifiers and conceded 20 goals, eight in the first half and 12 after the break.
They have kept nine clean sheets, while their record in the 14 matches in which they have conceded is six wins, six draws and two defeats.
They have failed to score only once when the opposition have found the back of the net, in a 2-0 defeat away to Rwanda in a World Cup qualifier in November 2023.
