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Rugby Union

New Zealand lead Tri Nations following win over Springboks

16/08/2008

New Zealand lead the Tri Nations table following a close match against the Springboks which the Kiwis won 19-0 in Cape Town.

The scoreline flattered the All Blacks, although their defence was in excellent form, and the match did not really open up until the final 20 minutes.

Kiwi fly-half Dan Carter was out of form with the boot but scored the crucial second try to help his side to victory.

Centre Conrad Smith scored the only try of the first half when he latched on to Ritchie McCaw's grubber kick after seven minutes.

Carter missed the conversion and then went on to spurn four penalty opportunities to help South Africa stay in the game.

Springbok winger Bryan Habana thought he had scored just before the break but the touch judge said he had one foot out of bounds.

Centres Jean de Villiers and Fourie du Preez looked threatening for the home side but the All Black defence was able to keep them at bay to preserve their lead at 5-0 heading into the break.

At the start of the second period Percy Montgomery missed two penalty chances that could have seen South Africa take the lead.

Carter then missed a penalty and a drop-goal but was soon back to his old self, breaking through the Springbok line to touchdown for the vital score – adding the conversion to put them two scores ahead.

With ten minutes remaining replacement prop Kevin Mealamu intercepted De Villiers' pass and was able to score the All Blacks' third try from short-range.

New Zealand now lead the Tri Nations by four points from Australia with South Africa a further five points behind.