South Africa inflict more pain on New Zealand with 18-12 win

CAPE TOWN : Siya Kolisi and Malcolm Marx scored tries as South Africa recorded a fourth win in a row against old foes New Zealand for the first time in 75 years with an 18-12 Rugby Championship victory in Cape Town on Saturday.

It was a high-octane encounter full of energy and endeavour in front of a fervent crowd of 55,000, but both sides committed numerous errors that stunted their momentum and it will not go down as a classic.

Captain Kolisi, playing with a fractured nose, crossed early in the second half and Marx late on as the world champions edged the arm-wrestle and took a giant step towards the Rugby Championship title.

Flyhalf Damian McKenzie kicked all of New Zealand's points but missed two penalties from virtually in front of the poles that proved decisive for the visitors, who have now lost three of their last four Tests in a difficult start for new coach Scott Robertson.