New Delhi, March 12 (IANS) New Zealand prevailed over South Africa 5-4 in sudden death to finish ninth in the Hockey World Cup at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here Friday.

The two teams were 4-4 at the end of the regulation time and then 4-4 in the shootout.

In the sudden death, New Zealand goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex, who has been in good form in the tournament, stopped Lloyd Madsen's strike. The Black Sticks captain Dean Couzins then scored from the spot to give his side victory.

Earlier, South Africa opened the scoring through Justin Reid-Ross in the fourth minute. The floodgates opened in the second half with both teams stepping up the attack.

New Zealand equalised through Inglis Hugu (40th minute) while Andrew Hayward converted three penalty corners (42nd, 49th, 70th), including the last minute equaliser that took the match to extra time.

For South Africa, Lloyd Norris-Jones (45th),Taine Paton (50th), Thomas Hammond (57th) were the scorers in the second half.

The 15 minutes of extra-time saw neither team scoring the golden goal.

Ryan Archibald missed New Zealand's first penalty stroke before Couzins, Hayward, Shea Mcaleese, and Nicholas Wilson hit past South African goalkeeper Pieterse Erasmus.

Pontifex brought New Zealand back in the match saving South Africa's third penalty stroke by Paton Wade. Lloyd Madsen, Reid-Ross, Ian Haley and Gareth Carr struck for South Africa.