Rugby Union: South Africa 21 - 26 New Zealand

Just when it seemed they would lose, they won. Just when it seemed that even the All Blacks might struggle when their play-maker was having an off-day, other players in their ranks seized the moment and tilted the game their way. The world order remains intact. The odds on New Zealand winning the World Cup shorten a little more.

Dan Carter was off-target with his boot and quiet in general play - as he sometimes is on away days in South Africa - but Rodney So'oialo was precision itself with his decision-making throughout the game and with one late run, in particular. This counterattack took him past four defenders, set up the try for Richie McCaw and paved the way for an irresistible series of assaults on the South Africa line.

Just as Carter, so often the match-winner, was subdued, so last week's drop-goal king for the Springboks, Francois Steyn, was having an even more tortured time. The utility player had come on as a replacement for Butch James, but instead of injecting his normal thrust, he dropped the ball and looked utterly out of sorts.

Thus, in the closing quarter, as the home team endeavored to protect a well-earned lead, they found themselves falling apart. And as New Zealand sought to compensate for Carter, they found hands up for the job everywhere. Replacement of the day was certainly not Steyn, but Leon MacDonald, who came on and set up the winning try for Joe Rokocoko.

It came from another counterattack, born of the ball going loose. This was how the All Blacks wanted to play, swooping on scraps and turning them into tries. Until this late period they had found such pickings on the scarce side of non-existent.

It was not exactly as if the Springboks had enjoyed absolute control up to this point. Their scrum, for example, was under severe strain from the word go, but they had exerted a counterbalancing pressure on the All Blacks line-out, and had engaged in tackling duties with a wild-eyed desire bordering on the lunatic.

On their own throw, South Africa were efficient. And the one try they scored from a driving maul confirmed their strength in this area. The ball was transferred well to Bob Skinstad and the burrowers did the rest, Schalk Burger touching down on the stroke of half time.

The second try was not quite as composed. It came after Aaron Mauger had just cut the Springboks' lead to two with a well-taken drop goal. Having just given his side new momentum, however, Mauger then threw a pass out of the tackle that went straight to James. Percy Montgomery converted and the All Blacks had it all to do at 18-9 down. And the clock was ticking. That they finished in such style was a chilling reminder of how good they have been over the past three years. Without a flicker of worry, they increased the tempo of the game.

South Africa, on the other hand, now began to lose their composure. No sooner had he come on the field than back-row replacement Pedrie Wannenburg was back on the bench, sentenced to 10 minutes in the bin for preventing release at a ruck.

It meant the Springbok scrum was under even more extreme pressure. It was turned and scattered at every put-in. With only seven specialist pushers - Jean de Villiers was hastily volunteered for the back row - the remaining strength of their forwards drained away.

MacDonald was no mean replacement for Mils Muliaina. He may not have the speed of the starting full-back, but he has the knack of positioning himself perfectly, not only to receive the ball in open play but also to link quickly with the real speedsters, of whom Rokocoko was the most electric. The decisive try MacDonald created for him was the winger's twenty-eighth in 48 internationals. He was running as elusively and powerfully at the end as he was at the beginning. The All Blacks are not just the best team, but also the fittest.

Two rounds of the Tri Nations have merely confirmed what was assumed. South Africa are powerful but blinkered. New Zealand are without weakness. Carter has another off day in South Africa, but his team-mates raise their game.

Of course, the All Blacks have been in this position before. And have blown every World Cup since the very first in their own back yard 20 years ago. Pressure can obviously get to them. Or it has got to them in the past. This latest lot look as if they like the challenge of being tested all the way. Just so little Dan can work his one wobbly display out of his system. A bit scary, all in all.

b>Durban </b>51,861

SOUTH AFRICA Montgomery; Willemse (Olivier 66), Fourie, De Villiers, Pietersen; James (Steyn 52), Pienaar; Du Randt (Van der Linde53), G Botha, BJ Botha (Muller 66), B Botha, Matfield (capt), Burger, Rossouw, Skinstad (Wannenburg 52)

Tries Burger, James Con Montgomery

Pens Montgomery 2, Pienaar

NEW ZEALAND Muliaina (MacDonald 70); Rokocoko, Toeava (McAlister 67), Mauger, Sivivatu; Carter, Kelleher (Weepu 69); Woodcock, Oliver (Mealamu 51), Hayman, Flavell, Rawlinson (Filipo 45), Collins, McCaw (capt), So'oialo

Tries McCaw, Rokocoko Cons Carter 2

Pens Carter 3 Drop goal Mauger

b>Referee </b>A Rolland (Ireland)