NEW ZEALAND 35 SOUTH AFRICA 17

New Zealand 35 (19)
Tries: Weepu, McCaw
Cons: Carter 2
Pens: Carter 7

South Africa 17 (7)
Tries: Du Preez, Paulse
Cons: Montgomery 2
Pens: Montgomery

Dan Carter kicked 25 points in a superb Tri-Nations display as the All Blacks claimed their 20th straight home win with victory over South Africa.

The Springboks took the lead after just 17 seconds when Fourie du Preez crossed after charging down Carter's clearance.

But indiscipline cost them dear and Carter kicked four penalties before Piri Weepu charged over on 40 minutes.

Breyton Paulse got a try back for the visitors but three more Carter kicks and a Richie McCaw try sealed the win.

New Zealand's victory at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington makes it two from two in this year's campaign and extends their lead over Australia in the Tri-Nations table.

And their triumph, all be it over a struggling Springbok side, came despite coach Graham Henry making eight changes to the team that defeated the Wallabies.

As for South Africa, their dismal form continues and although they improved vastly from last week's shambles against Australia, beleaguered coach Jake White knows there is still a lot to do if he is to keep the critics at bay.

The Springbok forwards fronted up and gave the All Blacks a real going over at the breakdown and their rush defence did not have the holes that were exploited so ruthlessly in the 49-0 loss to Australia.

But South Africa will have to reduce their penalty count if they are to give themselves a chance in the 2006 Tri-Nations.

Du Preez and Butch James impressed at half-back but they were no match for scrum-half Weepu and the inspirational Carter.

Carter did well to recover from an awful start when his kick was charged down by Du Preez inside his own 22 as he attempted to clear from the kick-off.

Percy Montgomery added the conversion and it seemed as if the horror show of last week would become a distant memory.

But Carter kept punishing South Africa's indiscipline, while at the other end Montgomery missed two chances at goal in the first half.

At the end of the first half Carter produced a wonderful burst, which was supported by the impressive Mils Muliaina, to set up Weepu's try and New Zealand were 19-7 ahead at the break.

New Zealand extended their lead after half-time with two more Carter kicks before South Africa gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Paulse collected Du Preez's cross-field kick to touch down.

After missing a third kick, Montgomery reduced the gap to eight points on 71 minutes but Carter ended any hopes of a fightback with his seventh penalty before collecting his own chip forward to set up McCaw four minutes from time.