Oupa Manyisa looked to be the hero South Africa were looking for when he put Bafana ahead a minute after halftime.
But, as in their opening group defeat to Algeria on Monday, South Africa could only hold onto their lead for 13 minutes before Kara Mbodji cancelled out the opener with a powerful header from a simple set-piece routine on the hour mark.
The draw leaves Bafana Bafana with a single point after two games, rooted to the bottom of group C, while Senegal went top of the group with four points.
Earlier on Friday, Ghana snatched a stoppage time 1-0 victory over Algeria thanks to Asamoah Gyan's touch in the dying seconds, taking the Black Stars to three points along with Algeria.
Needing a victory and maximum points to stand any realistic chance, South Africa will now have to beat Ghana in their last fixture of the group, while at the same needing Senegal to beat Algeria in a simultaneous fixture next Tuesday.
A scrappy affair from the outset, Bafana were unconvincing in the opening half and struggled to carve out any promising opportunities in their search of the opening goal.
Sibusiso Vilakazi had one of the few good chances well stopped by goalkeeper Bouna Koundoul after 11 minutes.
Vilakazi was involved from the start and some slick passing and combination play with Anele Ngcongca allowed the Wits midfielder to unleash a decent effort, but he hit it straight at the goalkeeper, who palmed away well.
Jackson Mabokgwane, who replaced Darren Keet in goal, had a quiet half and was largely anonymous behind a solid Bafana back row.
But for a second time in two games, Mashaba was forced into an early replacement after Thulani Hlatshwayo had to be replaced following a heavy blow to the head.
Rivaldo Coetzee suffered a similar fate against Algeria, when he too had to be stretchered off after 29 minutes.
South Africa, however, survived the first 45 minutes relatively unscathed.
Their moods would be vastly improved just two minutes after the interval when Manyisa scored his first international goal with a well-controlled finish at the far post with a side-footed finish to Ngcongca's cross on the right.
Problems soon followed when Senegal, just 10 minutes later, thought they had equalised when they bundled the ball over the line.
But an offside call from the Eritrean linesman on the far side correctly ruled the goal disallowed, as the South Africans breathed a sigh of relief.
The respite did not last much longer though and three minutes later Mbodji lawfully drew level for Senegal with his header inside the area.
A heavy blow for the South Africans, a number of chances fell by the wayside despite plenty of effort from Mashaba's troops.
But it was not to be. Tokelo Rantie had the best chance in the dying minutes, but his left-footed shot flew wide of the mark, perfectly summing up Bafana form in front of goal.
Bafana Bafana XI: Mabokwane, Ngcongca, Matlaba, Hlathswayo, Mathoho; Furman (capt), Jali, Manyisa, Phala, Vilakazi, Rantie
Senegal XI: Coundoul, Gassama, Mbodji, Sané, M'Bengue, N'Diaye, Gueye, Diop, Sadio Mané, Sow, Mame Diouf
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