New Zealand overcame a searching test from a South African team fueled by desperation to win a torrid rugby union international 19-11 at Carisbrook on Saturday.
The Springboks arrived in New Zealand with their reputation battered by a 52-16 pasting from the All Blacks in Pretoria and with their image stained by allegations of foul play from last week's 29-9 loss to Australia.
PHOTO: AP
They left, after their last match before October's World Cup, having been beaten by the All Blacks for the 33rd time in 62 tests and for a record sixth time in succession with at least some of their international prestige restored.
New Zealand was poised to win the Tri-Nations championship for the second year in a row after scoring 14 tries and posting more than 100 points in away matches against South Africa and Australia.
It was widely expected they would prevail by a similar margin but South Africa's rekindled spirit and their boisterous but efficient defense allowed New Zealand only one try and a slender winning margin.
That try went to left wing and rising star Joe Rokocoko from a kick-and-chase in the fifth minute of play. It was the Fijiian-born flyer's 11th try in only six test appearances since his June debut.
The Springboks replied with a superb try of their own -- scored by prop Richard Bands and already regarded as one of the finest scored by a tight forward in international rugby.
Bands was the first receiver in a Springbok passing movement which began just inside the All Blacks half. He eluded the first tackle of his opposite number, Kees Meeuws, then beat the cover tackles of Carlos Spencer and Aaron Mauger.
Even in the dying minutes of the match, when the Springboks' defeat had become inevitable, they continued to strongly defend their own line.
The decisive factor in the match was ultimately the goalkicking of flyhalf Spencer, who kicked four penalties and a conversion -- five goals from five attempts.
The Springboks' usually failsafe goalkicker Louis Koen, who maintained an 89 percent success rate in this year's Super 12, managed only two penalties from five shots. He also missed three dropped goals.
Spencer's conversion of Rokocoko's try provided the difference between the teams at halftime when the All Blacks led 13-11. His penalties in the 47th and 58th minutes were the only points of the second half.
"Carlos kicked really well," said All Blacks captain Reuben Thorne. "We've always believed in him and tonight he showed what he's capable of."
The match was played in calm but bitterly cold conditions with limited running play. After Rokocoko's try, from a kick by Mauger into the left corner, and Bands' startling burst there were few clean breaks by either side.
The Springboks managed to clear their rucks and establish an effective pick-and-run style, finding narrow gaps close to loose pieces. While they found continuity, however, they failed to complete the last passes which might have created tries.
"I'm not happy with a loss but I'm happy with the way the guys played," said Springbok captain Corne Krige. "We'll keep our heads up and at least we can take something out of this for the World Cup."
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