( CNN ) -- World champions South Africa held off a second-half rally from New Zealand to win their Tri-Nations opener 28-19 in Bloemfontein on Saturday . Morne Steyn goes on a run for the Springboks in their Tri Nations win . The All Blacks were trailing 17-3 early in the second half and got within four points before the Springboks sealed victory when Jaque Fourie went over eight minutes from time . All Blacks took the lead through Stephen Donald 's early penalty , but South Africa hit back with 17 points without answer . Frans Steyn and Ruan Pienaar kicked penalties before the latter went over for the first try . Pienaar missed the conversion and carrying a slight injury passed the kicking duties back to Steyn who made a penalty to put them 14-3 up . Morne Steyn took over the kicking in the second half and he was successful with his first attempt to make it 17-3 . The All Blacks then burst into action as Conrad Smith ran through for a superb try which was converted by Donald who then landed a penalty . Steyne and Donald shared penalties before Piri Weepu 's wayward pass was recovered by the Springboks and Fourie went over to punish the error . The conversion was missed to complete a day of wayward kicking by the home side , but after a penalty by Donald , Steyn made no mistake the next time , with his kick three minutes from time finally ending the All Black challenge . South Africa go into the Tri-Nations off the back of a thrilling 2-1 series victory over the British and Irish Lions .
South Africa beat New Zealand 24 - 19 in Tri - Nations opener in Johannesburg . Jaque Fourie and Ruan Bell crossed for tries for the Lions . All Blacks hit back from 17 - 3 down to set up the finale .