South Africa centre Jean de Villiers insists the Springboks can go on and win the Tri-Nations after their stunning success in Dunedin.

The Springboks beat New Zealand 31-27, avenging a 31-27 defeat to the All Blacks at the same ground in the 2005 Tri-Nations.

"When we scored the try I got the guys together and said three years ago we were in the same position with four minutes to go and let it slip and the All Blacks came back," De Villiers told Sky Sports. "We stuck to our guns so we're ecstatic.

"It took 100 years to win here and hopefully it won't take another 100 years to win the next one."

The All Blacks beat the world champions 19-8 in last weekend's Tri-Nations opener in Wellington and de Villiers added: "The guys have been working hard on what we did wrong last week to get it right this week. We're very happy.

"Last year after winning the World Cup we had to set new goals for us as a team - winning in New Zealand was one of them. We have achieved that. Now to our next task which is winning the Tri-Nations."

Mistakes

New Zealand captain Rodney So'oialo admitted his side had made tactical mistakes.

"It was about territory. We played at the wrong side of the field and got punished," said So'oialo, whose side were hit hard by the loss of Ali Williams in the 29th minute.

That left the hosts with Anthony Boric, making his first start, and substitute Kevin O'Neill, making his All Blacks debut, in the second row.

"The two guys who came in and took over did good but obviously the experience of Ali in there is pretty huge," said So'oialo.