The Blitzboks opened their HSBC SVNS Vancouver campaign with a 12-10 over New Zealand after leading 12-05 at the halftime break.
Quewin Nortje scored after three minutes of play in the first half to open a 05-00 lead, however, New Zealand struck back with a try by Tone Ng Shiu two minutes later to level the scores.
With time up on the clock Andrew Knewstubb was shown a yellow card creating space for Ronald Brown who eventually scored the Blitzboks' second try, which Selvyn Davids converted to lead 12-05 going into the second half.
The second half was an arm wrestle, however, Andrew Knewstubb scored New Zealand's second try with a minute to play. Knewstubb could not convert his try and despite New Zealand's attacks during the last minutes of the match the Blitzboks held on to secure a close 12-10 win.
Scorers:
Blitzboks: Tries: Quewin Nortje, Ronald Brown. Conversion: Selvyn Davids.
New Zealand: Tries: Tone Ng Shiu, Andrew Knewstubb.
Teams:
Blitzboks: Quewin Nortje, Ryan Oosthuizen, Shilton van Wyk, Selvyn Davids, David Brits, Ronald Brown, Impi Visser. Replacements: Donavan Don, Tristan Leyds, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Zander Reynders, Ricardo Duartee.
New Zealand: Regan Ware, Sione Molia, Tone Ng Shiu, Dylan Collier, Frank Vaenuku, Andrew Knewstubb, Joe Webber. Replacements: Ngarohi McGarvey-Black, Jayden Keelan, Brady Rush, Oli Mathis, Lewis Ormond.