THERE'S good news and bad news for the Springboks. The good news is, there was no abject surrender this time, like last week's against Australia. Alas, it was replaced by sheer technical incompetence. They condemned themselves to defeat before a 38,500 sell-out at Wellington's Westpac Stadium, by their own hand. With a series of illegal offences chiefly at the breakdown, they offered a New Zealand side far from its best, a comfortable TriNations victory courtesy of Daniel Carter's metronomic goalkicking.

As South Africa continued to commit offence after offence, Carter landed the penalties like an undertaker hammering nails into the coffin. Seven penalty kicks sailed over, giving the Springboks no hope of catching the All Blacks. Poor defensive kicks also handed New Zealand both their tries, appalling moments of inaccuracy.

It was a messy, ugly, unconvincing test match. The All Blacks won because they have a capacity to expand their game and seek continuity and space far beyond the ability of the South Africans. That ensured they spent far more time going forward than the 'Boks. Jake White's side has retreated to the laager, resorting pretty much to the old forward driving game around the fringes of rucks and mauls. At least the players looked up for the contest but it was depressing to see South Africa sowing the seeds of their own destruction with such rank indiscipline.

The Springboks got off to a sensational start when Carter's kick was charged down after just 17 seconds and Fourie du Preez juggled the ball before scoring. But Du Preez then ruined a fine personal first-half performance with an act of crushing absurdity right on half-time.

The 'Boks early 7-0 lead had been steadily eroded by Carter's kicking so that New Zealand led 12-7 in the final minute of the half. But the scrum-half missed touch with his clearance kick and New Zealand were waiting.

Carter and Muliaina ran it back before Piri Weepu burrowed over. Had Percy Montgomery landed a 39th minute penalty, it would have been 12-10 at half-time instead of 19-7.

The Springboks had to score first after half time.

Instead, their captain was twice penalised at the breakdown within seven minutes early in the half and Carter banged over the goals to make it 25-7. Game over.

Du Preez's clever crosskick set up Breyton Paulse for a try, Montgomery converting and landing a penalty to bring it back to 25-17.

But Carter guided another missile between the posts before the ineffective Butch James missed touch, Carter again ran it back and fed Richie McCaw who scored clinically.

The Springboks were just grateful that Juan Smith gave a simply outstanding performance of non-stop tackling, covering and supporting. He was in a class of his own although Solly Tyibilika at least ensured there was a contest at the breakdown, and Wynand Olivier also gave a superb defensive display, besides making one lovely attacking break.

New Zealand's Dan Carter expressed his relief after the game. "I thought I was in for a long day but I managed to pull through, " he said.

"It was tough to score tries and it was pretty vital we kept the points ticking over with those penalties."

New Zealand coach Graham Henry, however, said his side's performance was not up to scratch.

"We're not happy with the way we played, but the game was won, " he said.

"We were down by seven points early on and we had to claw our way back. We showed a lot of composure and came out quite a long way ahead at the finish."

Henry was also unhappy with the number of injury breaks as he felt they disrupted the flow of the match.

"The thing that frustrates me is the amount of times people went down with injury, " said Henry.

"I think it is being slowed down. It's been happening in the Super 14 and if you look at the stats you will find that some countries slow the game down more than others and that is frustrating."

NEW ZEALAND L MacDonald; D Howlett, M Muliaina, S Tuitupou, S Hamilton; D Carter, P Weepu; N Tialata, A Oliver, C Hayman, C Jack, A Williams, R Thorne, R McCaw (c), R So'oialo Subs G Somerville for Tialata, 55 mins; J Cowan for Weepu, 61 mins; A Hore for Oliver, 65 mins; L McAlister and C Masoe for Tuitupoa and McCaw, 76 mins SOUTH AFRICA P Montgomery; B Paulse, J Fourie, W Olivier, B Habana; B James, F du Preez; O du Randt, J Smit (c), CJ Van der Linde, A van den Berg, V Mat"eld, J Smith, S Tyibilika, J Cronje Subs E Andrews for Du Randt, 48-57 mins; J van Niekerk for Tyibilika, 65 mins; J Mueller for Van Den Berg, 66 mins Referee J Jutge (France)