Steyn gives ABs the boot
South Africa's Morne Steyn kicked five penalties and a drop goal as the Springboks saw off New Zealand 18-5.
Last Updated: 20/08/11 8:06pm
South Africa fly-half Morne Steyn kicked five penalties and a drop goal as the Springboks saw off New Zealand 18-5 in Port Elizabeth.
With the All Blacks fielding a much-changed side, this result will not start alarm bells ringing for the World Cup hosts just yet, but if their starters suffer injuries, the second string players do not look like world-beaters.
Victory ensured the hosts avoided a Tri-Nations whitewash after they had lost their first three matches in this year's truncated tournament.
New Zealand are now level on nine points with Australia, which means the Test between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday will decide the outcome of the tournament.
Steyn was recalled at half-back in place of Butch James and immediately proved his worth with a superb kicking display that helped the world champions open up a 15-0 lead after 30 minutes that proved decisive.
An under-strength All Blacks were without the likes of Dan Carter as well as captain Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina, but enjoyed more possession and territory in the opening half.
Steyn's boot, however, plus some bruising home defence, ensured the hosts took control on the scoreboard.
Nervy
Without Carter the All Blacks lacked the cutting edge to make good use of their dominance and his replacement Colin Slade, making his second start, endured a nervy afternoon.
Steyn converted a couple of penalties inside the opening 10 minutes before the hosts had to withstand pressure at the other end.
A scything Kahui run was ended five metres short of the line but for all the All Blacks' efforts they found themselves 9-0 behind when Steyn launched over a penalty from halfway.
Slade missed the chance to get New Zealand on the scoreboard when he pushed a penalty wide and it proved costly as Steyn then kicked over from point-blank range before adding a drop goal to make it 15-0 on the half-hour.
New Zealand finally broke through as half-time approached with the only try of the game.
Sonny-Bill Williams' inside pass to Hosea Gear cut open the home defence before he found Kahui to race over for his first try against South Africa.
Slade missed the conversion and after the break it was more of the same as New Zealand failed to find the craft to find their way through a disciplined South Africa defence.
When they did Jimmy Cowan's touchdown was ruled out after Israel Dagg was ruled to have passed forward following a lightning run that was brought down 10 metres short.
Steyn kicked over the only points of the second half, a penalty on the hour, as South Africa held on for a win which will boost their confidence as they head for the defence of their Webb Ellis Trophy.
