Allrounder Faf du Plessis, playing in his debut Test, was the hero with an unbeaten century as the Proteas finished on 248 for eight ahead of Friday's final Test in Perth.
When stumps were drawn, du Plessis, who needed physio treatment for cramp late in the day, was unconquered on 110 with Morne Morkel not out eight.
The Australians need to win the three-Test series against the Proteas to take the world number one ranking from South Africa.
It was the second time the South Africans had batted out for a draw after denying Australia's unlikely victory push in the Brisbane opener earlier this month.
Match scores: Australia 550 and 267 for 8 declared; South Africa 388 and 248 for 8.
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Huh? Why is ET so quiet about the HISTORIC schooling of India by England?? If India so much as wins at tiddlywinks, ET is all over it? Why not speak of the recent test match thrashing??