New Zealand scored three unanswered tries to defeat South Africa 19-0 in the Tri-Nations rugby match at Newlands Stadium.

Centre Conrad Smith latched onto a Richie McCaw grubber kick for the first try in the seventh minute, flyhalf Dan Carter went over after a good period of All Black play in the 66th and replacement hooker Keven Mealamu intercepted a wild pass in the final 10 minutes.

South Africa had several chances in the first half after Smith's try but were too frantic to convert them.

Trailing 5-0 at half time, the South Africans made several errors in the second half, including Francois Steyn's decision to take a quick throw-in inside his 22-metre zone in the final phases of the match.

Steyn got the ball as far as Jean de Villiers, who threw a wild pass in the tackle. Mealamu was on hand and he gleefully accepted the chance to run down unchallenged.

"It was a performance we're proud of," said McCaw, whose work on the ground was critical in stopping the Springboks during the first half.

De Villiers, Adrian Jacobs and Bryan Habana were all denied by tight defences and McCaw's ability to turn the ball over in the tackle.

For South Africa, Percy Montgomery celebrated his 100th Test with some solid play under the high ball, and good counterattacking, but he tired in the second half and was replaced by Steyn.

"It was a pity I couldn't celebrate with a win," Montgomery said.

Fourie du Preez was picked by Springbok coach Peter de Villiers to settle his team down after an edgy win over Argentina last weekend. However, the scrum half's tactical kicking often went long and he was replaced in the final quarter by Ricky Januarie.

It was a must-win match for both teams, with the Tri-Nations now firmly in New Zealand's grasp.

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