South Africa 26 New Zealand 45

When you have a long-standing unbeaten record, there is no such thing as an unimportant game.  New Zealand, who had already sealed the Tri Nations title, found themselves trailing early on here to a Fourie du Preez try.  But, as often happens when you have the temerity to lead against the All Blacks, South Africa found themselves buried beneath a second-half onslaught that consigned them to another heavy defeat.

When the current streak of results that New Zealand find themselves on is finally punctuated by a defeat, it won't be because they've rested on their laurels.  With the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup tucked away in their rucksack, the laurels were substantial yesterday in Pretoria.  But a fine kicking performance from Dan Carter and some shocking tackling from the Springboks put the visitors in pole position, and they didn't need an invitation to speed away with the win.

After du Preez had scored an opportunist try from a New Zealand error, South Africa put the heat on their opponents, dominating the lineout, but failed to add to their 11-6 lead.  A warning shot flew across their bows when a kick ahead was chased into the in-goal area, but Toeava was unable to get the touch down.  This shot was ignored, and when Dan Carter put another kick behind the Springbok defence, Tialata got the score.  A Carter conversion saw NZ take the lead, and his amazing 62-metre penalty made it 16-11 at the break.  At this point, South African fans would already have wondered if the chance had been blown.

It hadn't yet, and even when Carter banged over another penalty there was still hope for South Africa.  It was when Ndungane broke clear and his kick ahead was fielded not by one of his own men but by Mils Muliaina, who fed Luke McAllister for the try, that the sun began to disappear behind the long white cloud.  When the Springboks were caught out twice in quick succession by quickly-taken tap penalties, it was over.  First Sivivatu profited from Jerry Collins' quick thinking, then McAllister reciprocated Muliaina's gift.

With 25 minutes left and the home crowd booing, it was time for the players to prove their worth.  Jacques Fourie got closest to doing so, with two tries that put a sheen on the scoreline.  But when Rico Gear chased and collected Jerry Collins' kick ahead to take New Zealand into the 40+ point bracket, it truly was all over.