South Africa 32
New Zealand 29
Springbok captain John Smit looked dignified even with blood seeping out of both nostrils.
Team officials had tried to staunch the blood flow before Smit launched into his interviews after his side's 32-29 victory against the All Blacks to claim this season's Tri-Nations trophy.
In his 90th test, Smit had finally been on the winning side in New Zealand.
It filled a stellar personal portfolio which includes the 2007 World Cup title and this year's series win against the Lions.
Smit missed last year's visit and the victory in Dunedin while the previous Springbok win had been in 1998, before Smit made his way into the team.
Questions have been raised about Smit's future in the game and whether he can last until the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand but he swatted those away, declaring he was a season-by-season prospect and was still on contract till the end of next year.
His teammates hope Smit will extend that deal because of the grace and clout he brings to the Springboks.
Midfield back Jean de Villiers spoke of the warmth they had for their skipper and the impact of controversial coach Peter de Villiers.
"John is the cornerstone of this team, he is the gel who keeps this team together he is so inspirational and such a fantastic rugby player too," his teammate de Villiers said.
Comments about the standard of his play just washed off him and he continued to lead and play at the highest levels.
"First of all we respect him for that and secondly for his captaincy and his leadership. He is a great guy on the field and a fantastic guy off it. I have never seen him flustered.
"He is cool, calm and collected, he always says the right things at the right time and has got the ability to speak really, really well and those things make him such a fantastic leader and, like I said, just a great guy and I am lucky to have been able to call him my friend."
A great deal had been written about coach de Villiers, there had been plenty of comment about his claims to the job but he was the right man to coach the Springboks at this stage.
"A lot has been said about his coaching style, the management and the role of the senior players in the team but we have got it spot on at this stage."
The Springboks were glad they had claimed the Tri-Nations title in Hamilton rather than having to wait for any other permutations when the All Blacks next played the Wallabies this weekend in Wellington.
It finally gave Smit a test victory in New Zealand which had escaped his lengthy resume.
"I think it is a special day for him and I am just glad we have done it for him. He is such a great leader, such an inspirational leader that it is fantastic to have done it with him in the team," the midfield back said.
The All Blacks remained a quality team whom South Africa had been fortunate enough to defeat three times this season.
"But we will come back next year and it will just be harder and tougher."
