All Blacks booted out of Durban

South Africa's Morne Steyn scored a record 31 points to hand the All Blacks their second successive defeat. Photo / Getty Images

DURBAN - Springboks first five-eighth Morne Steyn booted his way into test rugby's pantheon, carrying his side to a 31-19 defeat of the blundering All Blacks here this morning (NZT).

Steyn scored all of his team's points, which is a record for any individual against New Zealand, as South Africa strangled the tourists for the second time in a week.

It leaves the All Blacks without even a bonus point to show for their disappointing Tri-Nations double-header in the republic.

Not that they deserved it on today's performance, which was blighted by even more of the mistakes and brain explosions that marred their 28-19 loss in Bloemfontein seven days earlier.

The Springboks simply fed off their mistakes, with Steyn taking took full advantage via nine from 10 shots at goal in a haul that comprised eight penalties and the conversion of his own try in the 37th minute.

South Africa again exerted pressure up front and the All Blacks failed to respond, producing rugby that was often madcap from inside their own territory.

Clearly trying to tire their opponents, the New Zealanders spread the ball wide relentlessly but their skills let them down time and again.

Their scrum was strong, anchored by 21-year-old tighthead prop Owen Franks, but otherwise the forwards produced another wobbly lineout effort while they were routinely outgunned at the breakdown.

The more physical hosts slowed the ball expertly and were generally on the right side of the rulings from referee Nigel Owens.

Three yellow cards were dished out in total - including one to lock Isaac Ross which reduced both teams to 14 each late in the first half.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw lamented the gremlins that have crept into his team's game and need to be remedied ahead of the August 22 test against Australia in Sydney.

"The pressure got on top of us and we made vital mistakes like we did last week," he said.

"They were going forward at a lot of breakdowns and when you get that sort of ball it's tough.

"If you play too much rugby in your half you can pinned there and pay the price.

"When you can't win first phase, it's tough to get your game going. We have to get it right because we've got a few games to go yet."

McCaw and the front row stood tall in the All Blacks pack while centre Conrad Smith was the most level head in a backline that panicked too often in the face of aggressive defence.