Jaque Fourie scored a late try as world champions South Africa opened their Tri-Nations campaign with a 28-19 victory over holders New Zealand in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Fourie raced down the right touchline for a 72nd-minute try to clinch the win while Morne Steyn completed the scoring with an angled penalty from halfway with just two minutes remaining.
Flyhalf Ruan Pienaar had scored a 26th-minute try and kicked a penalty, with fullback Francois Steyn adding two penalties to give the Springboks a 14-3 half-time lead.
South Africa could have been out of sight at the break but for poor goal-kicking, with Pienaar missing four penalty attempts.
Coach Peter de Villiers replaced him at halftime with Steyn, who immediately kicked a penalty and added another in the 57th minute.
A Stephen Donald penalty was all New Zealand had to show for their first-half effort, but they quickly struck back after the break, closing the gap to 17-13 after centre Conrad Smith sped through for a try in the 48th minute and Donald added the conversion and a penalty.
The All Blacks flyhalf enjoyed a solid day with the boot kicking two more second-half penalties.
South Africa's win meant they reclaimed the International Rugby Board's number one ranking from the All Blacks.
South Africa - 15-Francois Steyn, 14-JP Pietersen, 13-Jaque Fourie, 12-Jean de Villiers (22-Wynand OIivier 68), 11-Bryan Habana, 10-Ruan Pienaar (21-Morne Steyn 40), 9-Fourie du Preez, 8-Pierre Spies, 7-Juan Smith, 6-Heinrich Brussow, 5-Victor Matfield, 4-Bakkies Botha (18-Danie Rossouw 68), 3-John Smit (17-Jannie du Plessis 65), 2-Bismarck du Plessis (16-Chiliboy Ralepelle 80), 1-Tendai Mtawarira.
New Zealand - 15-Mils Muliaina, 14-Joe Rokocoko, 13-Conrad Smith, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 11-Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10-Stephen Donald, 9-Brendon Leonard (20-Piri Weepu 52), 8-Rodney So'oialo (19-Kieran Read 53), 7-Richie McCaw, 6-Jerome Kaino, 5-Isaac Ross (18-Jason Eaton 73), 4-Brad Thorn, 3-Neemia Tialata (17-Owen Franks 40), 2-Andrew Hore (16-Keven Mealamu 58), 1-Tony Woodcock.
