MacDonald crosses for the All Blacks. (Getty Images)

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New Zealand became the first side to book a place in the World Cup semi-finals after they strangled the life out of South Africa, winning 29-9 in Melbourne.

The All Blacks won by three tries to nil and dominated throughout, starving the Springboks of ball and territory with fly-half Carlos Spencer to the fore.

The Auckland fly-half created two of his team's three tries with a brilliant break in the first half to set up Leon MacDonald and an outrageous between-the-legs pass for Joe Rokocoko's touchdown in the second to propel his team into the last four.

He also tried and missed with two drop goals in the first half when moving the ball wide would have been highly likely to bring a try, but ultimately he was the lynch-pin in an All Black side a step above their famous rivals.

Keven Mealamu also crossed for the All Blacks as they swept into the last four.

It was New Zealand's 34th win over the Springboks and their record seventh in succession - but it was not as convincing as it might have been as they completely dominated every aspect of the game in the first half but failed to capitalise in terms of points.

By the end of the first 40 minutes the All Blacks had held 65% of the possession and 63% of territory but errors in finishing off moves cost them points.

And they nearly conceded a try when Jaco van der Westhuyzen went close to scoring in the right-hand corner before the impressive Jerry Collins came up with the saving tackle late in the half.

But the Springboks had to rely on the boot of Derick Hougaard for their nine points.