New Zealand's 1-0 win over Bahrain in the second leg of their qualifier gave the Kiwis a 1-0 aggregate result, sparking scenes of jubilation among the home players and the capacity 35,000 crowd.

It will be just the second time the All Whites appear at a finals and the first since Spain in 1982, when present coach Ricki Herbert was in the squad.

Herbert was virtually speechless immediately after the match.

''This group behind me, they've given it everything four years of total commitment,'' he said.

''We're back. We're there. South Africa, here we are.''

Herbert, who gave Paston a kiss after the final whistle, said the team had done its preparation for a penalty scenario.

''We had done a little bit of homework and Pastie's pulled one out of the top drawer,'' he said.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times