New Zealand thrashed Trinidad and Tobago 76-27 yesterday, but were provided with a much sterner test by the world number eight side Uganda in Group B at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Uganda dominated possession in the first two quarters, although trailed by a slender four-point margin at 25-21 at half-time.

The defending champions pulled clear in the third and fourth quarters, triumphing 54-44 to clinch a second victory.

Trinidad and Tobago bounced back from yesterday's heavy defeat by recording their first win 49-36 against Singapore.

Tournament favourites Australia, the world number one-ranked side, enjoyed a more comfortable day as they proved too strong for world number seven-ranked Tonga in an 85-38 victory, although their opponents impressed in the first quarter and only trailed 15-13 at that stage.

In the other Group A match, Fiji recorded one of the shocks of the day as the world number 19 team beat a Zimbabwe side ranked six places higher 52-48.

Hosts South Africa continued their fine start to their home World Cup in Group C with an 87-32 victory against Sri Lanka, with Commonwealth Games runners-up Jamaica dominant in a 75-40 win against Wales.

The other action came in Group B, where England made a slow start against Malawi as they led just 12-10 in the first quarter but improved as the match progressed for a 62-39 victory.

Scotland earned their first win of the World Cup 53-44 against Barbados.

The top three sides in each group are set to advance to Groups F and G in the second phase of the competition, with each team having one more match to play tomorrow.