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A first half free kick from Teko Modise ensured a place for a makeshift South African side in the Saturday’s Cosafa Castle Cup semifinal against Botswana at Atteridgeville, near Pretoria.
Modise netted in the 32nd minute to set up a final meeting with Zambia next month, at a venue to be decided.
Defending champions Zambia had beaten Mozambique 3-0 in their semifinal at the same venue earlier on Saturday.
South Africa, who coached Carlos Alberto Parreira had criticised clubs on the eve of the game for not releasing players for the match, had to weather a strong second half performance from the visitors.
Goalkepeer Moneeb Jospehs made three key save to ensure a home win and South Africa’s only second appearance in the deciding match of the annual event in 10 years of participation.
Zambia qualified for a fourth successive final, easily beating Mozambique.
Debutants in the makeshift Zambian side proved all three of the goals with Noah Chivuta, Emmanuel Mayuka and William Njovu all scoring.
Chivuta created and finished the opening goal in the 35th minute with a strong run through the midfield to give Zambia the lead at the interval.
Mayuka, promoted up from the under-20 side that competed at the World Youth Championships in Canada earlier this year, extended the lead in the 69th minute.
The final goal came with Njovu easing his way through a tired defence.
The cup is the annual southern African championship.