Four tries on the night – three in the second half – from the Blitzbokke helped the SA team to the win, with tries coming from Seabelo Senatla, Steven Hunt, Philip Snyman and Cornal Hendricks.
Captain Frankie Horne was pleased with the efforts of his teammates.
"We put a team effort together," said Horne after the match. "Hats off to New Zealand, they can come at you and strike at any moment. The guys just stuck in there and grinded and got the result."
Seabelo Senatla opened the scoring for the Blitzbokke in the first minute. With nothing much on, Senatla received the ball on the left wing and with a quick turn of pace surged away from the Kiwis to score under the posts, which was converted for a 7-0 lead.
The New Zealanders, however, responded from the kickoff when Lote Raikabula ran through the South African defence at the halfway line and sprinted away to dot down. The conversion straight in front was over to square the scores at seven points apiece.
Tomasi Cama made a run for the line, and with the South African defence covering well in the seventh minute, Cama put in the perfect grubber for Kurt Baker as he crossed the whitewash to put New Zealand into the lead. Cama converted to make it 14-7 to the Kiwis.
Making a comeback
With coach Paul Treu telling his side "no more kicking" at the interval, the South African side set about a comeback.
Senatla was involved again with eight minutes remaining in the match. After drawing two defenders his pass found Steven Hunt who had no problem gathering and crossing the line to score his side's second try. From a tight angle Philip Snyman was successful with his conversion to level the scores at 14 all.
With just over four minutes remaining, from a strong South African scrum five metres from the Kiwi line, the ball popped out and Snyman dotted down. Snyman then added another two to take a 21-14 lead for his side.
Cornal Hendricks added the Blitzbokke's fourth try when he ran through three Kiwi defenders to stretch the lead. Snyman, again was successful with the conversion and took the lead to 28-14.
With under a minute remaining, Trinity Spooner-Neera broke through the South African defence to score under the posts which was converted to make the scores 28-21.
Despite a tense final few seconds, South Africa were able to hold out for the win. – Sapa