Springboks stunned by All Blacks

New Zealand restored their battered pride with a convincing 26-15 victory over South Africa in a Tri-Nations test match today…

New Zealand restored their battered pride with a convincing 26-15 victory over South Africa in a Tri-Nations test match today.

The All Blacks were under intense pressure after their poor performance in a 23-15 defeat by Australia a fortnight ago.

But they responded in style at Eden Park by scoring two tries and dominating the Springboks throughout.

Centre Pita Alatini put them ahead after eight minutes when he crossed from close range and they were awarded a penalty try midway through the second half when fullback Leon MacDonald was tackled before he took what appeared to be a scoring pass.

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Andrew Mehrtens kicked four penalties from eight attempts in the intermittently torrential rain, while all South Africa had to show was the perfect kicking of centre Braam van Straaten, who landed all five of his attempts.