Down by one after 15 minutes against a feisty South African outfit, New Zealand rediscovered their drive to shut out each subsequent quarter for the comfortable win.
Sheer weight of possession won the match for the Silver Ferns - they had 76 shots on goal -- but accuracy wasn't a strength, with New Zealand shooting an underwhelming 76 percent to South Africa's marginally less impressive 74 percent.
New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken tweaked her attacking line-up, Liana Leota taking the court at centre with Temepara George in the more unaccustomed wing attack's role and Anna Scarlett at wing defence.
Nothing seemed to work for the Silver Ferns in the opening stanza, a disjointed and scrappy effort reflected in a high turnover rate and ordinary shooting.
South African circle defenders Leigh Ann Zackey and captain Amanda Mynhardt kept Silver Ferns starting shooters Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia under real pressure, forcing five misses in the opening 10 minutes.
Tutaia in particular looked off song, her customary coolness missing as she struggled to find the hoop.
At the other end of the court, South African shooters Maryka Holtzhausen and Claudia Basson were in good touch, converting turnover ball into points for an 11-10 lead after 15 minutes.
It was the first time the New Zealanders had trailed at this world championship, after three overwhelming wins in pool play earlier in the week.
The second spell saw a much improved effort, with George reverting to centre and Leota pushing out to the wing. Former South African international Liana de Bruin came on at goal defence, with captain Casey Williams falling back to goal keep in place of Katrina Grant.
Playing with more speed through the middle and variation into the circle, the Silver Ferns looked a different team.
Van Dyk's increased movement offered more options in the circle, and she took on more shooting duties to allow Tutaia time to work her way back into touch.
The end result saw the New Zealanders take the quarter 17-6 for a 27-17 halftime lead.
Aitken continued her policy of using her entire bench, bringing on Laura Langman at centre for the final 30 minutes.
Paula Griffin came in at goal shoot for van Dyk, and there was a new-look back three with Joline Henry at wing defence and Grant back on at goal keep.
The Silver Ferns maintained momentum, even after Anna Thompson replaced Tutaia at goal attack late in the spell, and took out the quarter 15-6 to lead 42-23 with 15 minutes remaining.
As the match wore on, the South Africans tired and New Zealand's sheer pace through the midcourt left them struggling right to the final whistle.
