With the score level 56-56, South Africa played the ball around with 20 seconds left on the clock.
They went to pop it back to their midcourters on the circle edge to seal their first win against the Silver Ferns in 30 years.
But Gordon had other ideas, shuffled to the top, picked the ball and went flying through the court.
Martina Salmon slotted the winning shot at the other end, finishing with a big fist pump as Stadium Southland roared to life as the Silver Ferns came from behind to win 57-56 tonight.
It was a game that had everything – two suspensions and the Proteas led by as much as seven.
The Silver Ferns took the lead early in the final quarter when South African defender Nicola Smith was suspended and the Silver Ferns secured a three-goal lead.
Kimiora Poi was then suspended, forcing Gordon into centre.
But the Silver Ferns came from nowhere to make a clean sweep of the Taini Jamison Trophy.
The Proteas were a standout, working hard and would have deserved the victory.
The Silver Ferns threw loose balls allowing South Africa to jump to a 7-4 lead.
Proteas captain Khanyisa Chawane – playing her 100th test – and centre Tarle Mathe used their ball speed to hit the circle edge. They found Elmere van der Berg easily on the hold.
Nicola Smith and Jamie van Wyk – starting with Sanmarie Visser sidelined - doubled back on Grace Nweke.
The Silver Ferns were too stagnant on attack, driving laterally and lacking the punch to come through the middle for break through.
The Proteas came out strong to hold a 12-8 lead at the first quarter, winning back-to-back opening quarters in the latter two tests.
The Silver Ferns started to use their ball speed and Martina Salmon drove harder to draw a defender off Nweke to close the gap to two.
Kelly Jackson picked up two intercepts on the fly to bring a quiet crowd back to life and reduce the Silver Ferns’ gap to 29-23 at halftime.
The Silver Ferns came out with more intent to open the second half. Poi hit the pocket, Salmon drove the base and dished off to Nweke.
But they still let South Africa push them wide on attack, giving themselves no options through court.
Heffernan and Poi worked tirelessly to keep the Proteas midcourters off the circle edge.
Jackson came up with clutch ball at key times and Poi hit the circle edge to bring it back to one.
It was a better quarter from the home side, winning 18-14, but the Silver Ferns still trailed 43-41 at the break.
Taini Jamison Trophy
The scores
Silver Ferns 57
Grace Nweke 49/54, Martina Salmon 8/10
South Africa 56
Elmere van der Berg 46/51, Owethu Ngubane 10/14,
Quarter scores: South Africa 12-8, 29-23, 43-41.
