Boks confirm superiority

South Africa wrapped up their first Tri Nations victory since 2004 with a 32-29 victory over New Zealand in Hamilton on Saturday.

Three long-range penalties from Frans Steyn, tries either side of half-time from Fourie du Preez and Jean de Villiers, plus 13 points from the boot of Morne Steyn gave the Springboks their fifth win in six matches.

The Boks led by 10 points at the break and although the All Blacks fought back with tries from Sitiveni Sivivatu, Richie McCaw it wasn't enough.

Dan Carter kicked 19 points but the Kiwis were forced to relinquish their grip on the trophy they have held for the past four years with one match remaining against Australia next week.

Huge penalties

The All Blacks were gifted an early lead following the first of numerous indiscretions to hand Carter a simple chance to give the hosts a 3-0 lead.

However, South Africa were ahead inside 10 minutes thanks to a couple of huge kicks from Frans Steyn - the first from 61 metres and the second from 57m.

Carter levelled but Morne Steyn dropped a goal to give his side a 9-6 advantage before du Preez put daylight between the sides on 20 minutes after setting up play with a big up and under.

Du Preez went up with Joe Rokocoko but although neither gathered it cleanly the Boks tidied it up with Bakkies Botha driving for the line, and from the ruck du Preez burrowed his way over with Morne Steyn adding the extras.

Carter edged past 900 Test points to narrow the deficit but it was short-lived as Frans Steyn stepped up with another kick from 55m and Morne Steyn sent the visitors in 22-12 to the good at half-time after Kieran Read shoulder charged Bryan Habana.

Carter, who had scored all of New Zealand's first-half points, turned villain five minutes into the second-half when he passed inside only to see de Villiers intercept and race 45 metres to score under the posts.

Fightback

Steyn's conversion stretched the lead to a seemingly unassailable 17 points but it was not long before the All Blacks began the fightback, replacement centre Isaia Toeava feeding Sivivatu who crashed over for the score.

The unerring Carter added the two and another penalty as the game entered the final 15 minutes gave the hosts the whiff of victory.

However, New Zealand were continually held back by handling errors and Steyn extended the lead once more with a 71st minute penalty that essentially secured the points.

The All Blacks gave everything in the final 10 minutes, and finally broke through when McCaw took a cross-field kick from Carter to touch down in the corner.

The fly-half predictably added the extras from wide out to set up a tense finale but another score proved elusive and the Springboks were able to celebrate their total dominance of world rugby.