Last updated 05:01 22/08/2010

This morning's come back from the dead 29-22 win over South Africa in Soweto highlighted just how good this All Blacks team is and that even when star playmaker Dan Carter is below par they can still come through with the goods.

With three minutes to go the All Blacks were down 22-17 and it looked as if the bonus point to win the Tri-Nations would be the only thing they'd be able to take from the game.

But Richie McCaw scored in the corner after spending three minutes lurking out on one flank, then straight from the restart, following Carter's missed conversion, Nonu made a break and set up Israel Dagg for the match winner.

The 94,033 spectators in the crowd that created a deafening atmosphere for 79 minutes were stunned into silence. So too was their captain John Smit, who looked shattered that the Springboks had lost again, their third defeat of the year to the All Blacks.

This loss will hurt South African rugby and Boks coach Peter de Villiers. The Springboks had put everything into this game and played every emotional card they could during the week. The stakes could hardly have been higher for them and their may be some casualties from this loss.

Richie McCaw said at the captain's run on Friday that the key to this game was scoring early to silence the crowd, but they weren't able to do it.

South Africa started strongly and got the 16th man they were looking for.

The All Blacks had a sluggish start to their set pieces, they were almost pushed off the ball with their first scrum and a lineout just after almost went wrong when the Springboks read a throw to the front.

But the All Blacks kept their cool under the early pressure and took the lead through a Carter penalty.

The Springboks' ferocity at the tackle was something the visitors found hard to handle, especially when Schalk Burger came crashing in, using his strength to force turnovers.

And it was also on attack where Burger made a big impact, smashing over Ma'a Nonu and Keven Mealamu for the opening try of the game.

Down 13-9 it was Jimmy Cowan's defensive blunder that left a great big gap in the defence for Francois Hougaard to run through, but it was a tough call to penalise Joe Rokocoko for running into the Springboks halfback after he put up a kick.

The All Blacks' first try came from a great break by Brad Thorn down the left flank, the ball was recycled quickly and spread wide, Nonu straightened the line of attack and when they went wide again there was plenty of space for Tony Woodcock to stroll in.

The sun had set by the start of the second half and two minutes into it Cowan, whose selection in the run-on team may have been down to loyalty from the coaches as much as anything else, paid the price for an inconsistent half and was substituted two minutes into the second period.

His replacement, Piri Weepu, was much more effective, utilising his skills at taking the ball to the line.

Steyn's penalties took the score to 22-14 with 13 minutes to go, but another Carter penalty brought the All Blacks back to within a try.

But after that kick Carter had a meltdown, he knocked the ball on when trying to catch a kick that was going straight down his throat, then missed a simple penalty with six minutes to go.

But cometh the hour, cometh McCaw, who did enough to make the scores level and Dagg who did the job for the win.

New Zealand now have 23 points and have won the Tri-Nations for the 10th time in 15 years with a game to spare.

Springbok captain John Smit could not conceal his disappointment after his 100th Test match ended in a 29-22 defeat to New Zealand in Soweto.

Smit's side led until the dying minutes of the match, when Richie McCaw and Israel Dagg pounced for tries to seal the All Blacks' reclamation of the Tri-Nations title.

"I thought we controlled the first half well and played accurately and on our terms. In the second half we conceded a few penalties and missed touch kicks, which cost us," Smit said. "At 22-all we wanted to get into a good field position so that Morné Steyn can have a go at a drop-goal, but we turned over possession, I missed a crucial tackle and it was game over.

"I can't think of anything worse than losing your 100th Test by missing a tackle at the death. I'll be disappointed for a very long time."

Springbok coach Peter De Villiers made a number of changes to his side and was quick to praise the younger members of his team despite the result.

"The youngsters stepped up today and we can draw a lot of confidence from how they played," he said. "If we dictate territory and possession, we can beat any team. We lost some structure in the second half and were playing less direct and more defensive.

"Those two kicks that went long were probably the turning points, as it brought us back into our half and we had to defend, where we could've been on the attack. It's very painful, but we can take some heart from how we performed today. You need luck too, and today it went their way, as it did in the rest of the Tri-Nations. Winning becomes a habit, but so can losing and we're aware of that."

All Blacks coach Graham Henry was predicatably thrilled with his side's comeback and toasted a wonderful oaccasion.

"They don't get any bigger than that - a huge Test match, played in front of that crowd in that stadium," he said. "I'm sure it will be pretty significant for the people who were there today.

"I just felt so proud of what they've achieved. The character, backed by their guts and togetherness was superb. So I think it was a very special win by the All Blacks today, an outstanding result and something we will never forget as far as we're concerned."

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has been issued with a misconduct notice over comments he made last week about referees favouring the All Blacks.

The Springboks were beaten 32-12 and 31-17 by New Zealand in their first two Tri-Nations matches and De Villiers suggested before their encounter with the Wallabies in Brisbane last weekend that the All Blacks were being favoured ahead of next year's World Cup.

"I've got my own observations about the last two Tests, and I can't say it in public," he said on 21 July. "But we do have a World Cup in New Zealand next year, and maybe it was the right thing for them to win the games so they can attract more people to the games next year."

De Villiers later backtracked on the comments, though SANZAR (South Africa New Zealand Australia Rugby) said it had written to South Africa Rugby on 22 July asking them to discuss the issue with their coach and then respond to the governing body.

SANZAR has issued a notice of alleged misconduct against Springbok Coach Peter de Villiers following comments he made on Australia's Fox Sports 'Rugby Club' programme on 21 July 2010.

SANZAR wrote to SA Rugby on 22 July in relation to the comments. Having discussed the matter with Mr de Villiers on his return to South Africa after last weekend’s Tri Nations match against Australia, SA Rugby has now provided a response.

SANZAR Chief Executive Steve Tew said: “Having considered the response from South Africa we have determined that Peter de Villiers’ comments may constitute a breach of the SANZAR Code of Conduct and warrant further consideration by a SANZAR Judicial Officer.”

A SANZAR appointed Judicial Officer will conduct a hearing in the next week with details to be advised.