Morne Steyn scored a Tri-Nations record 31 points Saturday to lead South Africa to a 31-19 victory over New Zealand and keep the Springboks top of the standings.

The flyhalf scored a try, converted it and kicked eight penalties with the All Blacks unable to match the Springboks' intensity on a wet surface that hampered running rugby.

Steyn beat former New Zealand flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens' previous mark of 29 points, set against Australia in Auckland in 1999.

"It was one of those days when everything just went through the poles," Steyn said.

"When you've got a pack like I had, the games become easy."

South Africa lead the standings with eight points from two matches. New Zealand have four points from three games. Australia have one point from their only match.

The Australians meet South Africa at Newlands Stadium next weekend.

New Zealand tried to shift the ball from contact early in the match, and were rewarded with the opening try when lock Isaac Ross finished off a counterattack in the 12th minute in the right corner.

The All Blacks led 10-3 after Steyn and opposing flyhalf Stephen Donald had exchanged penalties in the opening minutes.

Then Steyn started his scoring burst, popping over four more penalties and scoring a try in the 37th when the Springboks dismantled a New Zealand scrum missing Ross to a yellow card for a professional foul.

Scrumhalf Fourie du Preez passed the ball to Steyn, who cut inside to wrong-foot the defence and went over untouched.

South Africa led 22-13 at halftime, and Steyn kicked three more penalties after the break to one each from Donald and Kiwi substitute Luke McAlister. Steyn missed a final attempt right on fulltime.

John Smit captained the Springboks for a record 60th time, surpassing the mark held by England's Will Carling and Australia's George Gregan. The South African acknowledged the impact of Steyn's kicking.

"It's wonderful to have him in the team and, with the weather the way we anticipated it would be, having monster boots on our (Nos.) 9, 10 and 15 was certainly important," Smit said, referring to Du Preez and fullback Francois Steyn.

When the rain started falling in the second quarter, the discipline of the Springboks trumped the adventure of the All Blacks.

"When you get pinned in your own half, you're forced into mistakes," All Black captain Richie McCaw said. "And when you have to play flat-footed in the face of that kind of pressure, it becomes really tough."

All Black assistant coach Steve Hansen said New Zealand's decision-making under that pressure was "pretty poor."

"They have really good players all across the park, and we mustn't take anything away from them in this victory," Hansen said.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers was very satisfied with the win.

"The guys just did what we practice all the time," De Villiers said. "And they are the kind of team that will go big tonight in celebration, and tomorrow. When we land in Cape Town, the focus will be completely on beating Australia next week."

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