The All Blacks, who have not lost in South Africa for four years, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat courtesy of late tries by Richie McCaw and Joe Rokocoko.

The home side had looked to be in control after throwing everything at their visitors for 70 minutes, scoring the first two tries in the process.

However, the appearance of the All Blacks substitutes . . .

particularly Keven Mealamu . . . made a significant impact on the match at a time when it seemed to be slipping away from them.

The Boks opened with two penalties from Percy Montgomery . . . while Dan Carter missed two for the visitors . . .

to give them an early 6-0 lead.

But Carter managed to slot his next two to even up the scores just before half-time.

The Boks then took the initiative on the break as they drove their way towards the line and Schalk Burger ended up at the bottom of a pile of bodies to see them go in at the interval 11-6 ahead.

Aaron Mauger dropped a goal early in the second period to bring the scores closer together, before Jaque Fourie put in a half-tackle on Mauger, who popped the ball up to a flying Butch James to intercept and run 40 metres to score.

Montgomery converted to send the Boks 18-9 in front and when Carter's next penalty attempt hit the post, it seemed nothing would go right for the All Blacks.

Carter and Montgomery swapped penalties again and, with 10 minutes to go, the 2112 scoreline looked pretty secure.

New Zealand then sped up play, shifting left and right and, as referee Allan Roland missed an apparent knockon, McCaw latched onto the ball and went over to score.

Carter converted to bring his side within two points.

From the restart, another wave of attack saw winger the impressive Rokocoko break free and run 30 metres to score against a failing defence, and silence the 50,000 partisan crowd in the process. The Boks tried desperately to come back, but found their time had run out as the All Blacks claimed a significant victory away from home.

"We allowed them to speed up the game, especially with some quick throw-ins to the lineouts. We didn't convert our chances and simply let it slip at the end, " said South African captain Victor Matfield. His opposite number, Richie McCaw, said: "It's a tough place to come get a win and it's very important to us.

Now we have to build on that and ensure we can go on from there."

SOUTH AFRICA Percy Montgomery, Ashwin Willemse, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, JP Pietersen, Butch James, Ruan Pienaar, Bob Skinstad, Danie Rossouw, Schalk Burger, Victor Mat"eld (c), Bakkies Botha, BJ Botha, Gary Botha, Os du Randt. Subs Bismarck du Plessis, CJ van der Linde, Johann Muller, Pedrie Wannenburg, Michael Claassens, Wynand Olivier, Frans Steyn.

NEW ZEALAND Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Isaia Toeava, Aaron Mauger, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Byron Kelleher, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins, Greg Rawlinson, Troy Flavell, Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver, Tony Woodcock Subs Kevin Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Ross Filipo, Chris Masoe, Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Leon McDonald.