The New Zealand mens hockey team have finished in ninth place at the Hockey World Cup in New Delhi in a day of play-offs for the minor placings.
The Black Sticks edged out South Africa 5-4 on penalty stroke sudden, after the teams were locked 4-4 at the end of regulation and extra time.
The coach, Shane McLeod, says his players will be better off for their World Cup experience, which will help them later this year in the Champions Trophy and the Commonwealth Games.
The defending world cup champions, Germany, will play Australia in the final and Netherlands clash with England for the bronze medal.
Earlier today, the Olympic silver medallists Spain defeated South Korea 2-0 to finish fifth, and claim the last available spot for this year's Champions Trophy in Germany.
Argentina beat India 4-2 in the match to decide the seventh and eighth spots.
