New Zealand 19 South Africa 8: A ONE-GAME suspension imposed on the All Black lock Brad Thorn cast a shadow over his side's comprehensive victory over the world champions in the opening Tri-Nations match in Wellington on Saturday.

Thorn was found guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct at a judicial hearing yesterday for picking up the South African hooker John Smit in the sixth minute and unceremoniously dumping him on his back.

The 33-year-old was one of New Zealand's stand-out players in an exemplary forward display in rain and wind in Wellington and his physical presence will be sorely missed in Saturday's return match at Carisbrook in Dunedin, the second of three games the teams will now play under the enlarged format.

In the first Test played under the new experimental law variations, the Springboks threw themselves into contact and competed well at the breakdown, but the score would have been more emphatic had what looked a legitimate Jerome Kaino second-half try not been disallowed.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry, however, was not getting too far ahead of himself before Dunedin. "I think it's very early," said Henry. "We have a lot of improving to do. I think South Africa will be a much improved team next week."

The South Africa coach, Peter de Villiers, who has tried to introduce a more expansive style to his team's back play, said his side had probably made too many errors with their tactical kicking as their 14-Test unbeaten run came to an end.

"I don't think we read the situation that well," said De Villiers. "There are things that we need to work on and I think the kicking game will be one of them."

Smit echoed his coach's comments, saying they would need to shut down the kicking game of the All Blacks outhalf Daniel Carter, who scored 14 points and set up Kaino's try on Saturday, and be more composed in possession.

"I think we gave Dan a little too much space to kick into," said Smit, who admitted he had been injured in the Thorn incident and limped off just before half-time.

South Africa's only try came from Bryan Habana late in the first half while Butch James added a penalty.

Thorn was cited by commissioner Tim Harland and admitted at a hearing in front of Dennis Wheelahan yesterday the lifting and dropping of Smit constituted foul play, the New Zealand Rugby Union said in a statement.

"After taking all matters into account, including Thorn's previously excellent record as well as the sanction guidelines prescribed in the IRB Regulations, Wheelahan imposed a suspension of one week, the statement said."

Thorn's absence for next Saturday's return match at Carisbrook creates a headache for coach Graham Henry with a lack of depth in the position.

Rookie lock Anthony Boric is likely to be promoted to the starting line-up to partner the experienced Ali Williams.

Waikato lock Kevin O'Neill was already brought into the squad as cover for Williams, who injured an ankle against England last month.

Recent All Blacks Jason Eaton and Ross Filipo, who are on duty with New Zealand Maori in the Pacific Nations Cup, could also be brought into the squad for the second match of the tournament.

Hooker Schalk Brits has been called up to the Springbok squad as a precautionary cover for Smit.

"The flight from Cape Town to Wellington can be as long as 20 hours and we have therefore decided to call on Schalk so that the team can have sufficient cover in that area if needed," Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said.

NEW ZEALAND: Muliaina; Sivivatu, Smith, Nonu, Wulf; Carter, Ellis; Woodcock, Hore, Somerville; Thorn, Williams; Thomson, So'oialo (capt), Kaino. Replacements: Lauaki for Thomson (61 mins), MacDonald for Sivivatu (69 mins), Mealamu, for Hore (72 mins), Cowan, for Ellis, Tialata, for Somerville (both 75 mins).

SOUTH AFRICA: Jantjes; O Ndungane, Jacobs, De Villiers, Habana; James, Januarie; Steenkamp, Smit (capt), Van der Linde; Botha, Matfield; Burger, Smith, Van Niekerk. Replacements: B Du Plessis for Smit (38 mins), Mujati for Van der Linde (46 mins), Steyn, for James, Watson for Van Niekerk (both 59 mins), (Montgomery for Jantjes (64 mins), Conradie, for Januarie, Bekker for Botha (both 72 mins).

Referee: S Dickinson (Australia).