All Blacks seek to avenge narrow defeat

Back at sea level and in an area where there is traditionally strong support for the All Blacks, coach Scott Robertson said, "The great thing about the Rugby Championship is going back-to-back in the same country.

"We get to keep our feet on the ground, and we've got a lot of supporters with us [in Cape Town], it's quite unique.

"The best, and most important thing, is to keep a good strong mindset and realise what we've done really well."

Robertson said small margins related to indiscipline and the inability to get out of their defensive zone prevented the All Blacks from building on their 27-17 lead. Law interpretations came into it also and the All Blacks were not clean enough.

"You've got to trust your system and yourself and minimise all those opportunities for them to be in your 22.

"There were some pretty upset boys and an upset changing room because we know there were some key moments we didn't own in the last 15 minutes but we did such a brilliant 65. Our job now is to make sure we deal with things we can improve and acknowledge what we did well.

"We gave ourselves an opportunity to win in probably the biggest Test and the hardest place to win a Test in world rugby, which is Johannesburg. There was so much good, and a couple of moments that didn't quite go our way."

He couldn't comment on the ruling of Bongi Mnomambi's try.

"It's a dangerous area if you start talking about referees."

Robertson said they did their homework on the referee and his possible interpretations and had conversations with him before the game.

"We did the best we could to make sure we understood, and wanted to show the pictures he needed to see."

"I thought the scrum was exceptional, we scored a great lineout try. We defended for long periods of time. They got down the end and after a few multiphases, after the set pieces, they scored."

South Africa had good depth, and its bench, its 'bomb squad,' included players who could start games. But despite that, New Zealand still had opportunities to win.

"It was a great experience for those young guys, but we've got to execute better so we can finish Tests better."

There were signs that the side's backline showed more continuity as the season progressed.

"It was pleasing. We showed some enterprise, some skills. We've got a hell of a depth in our backline. Some of those players that aren't in the 23, you'd rank highly in any team in the world."

Wing Caleb Clarke scored two tries and dominated the aerial contest on his side of the field.

"He's a genuine finisher and great in the air. Some of the energy he gave us...who wants to select the wings in our team?

"We've got some selection decisions to make and it's good. You want those guys to take those opportunities when they come on. And he took them."

Captain Scott Barrett said, "The Springboks won the territory battle, and when they get the ball at that end of the field, the crowd gets behind them, and our discipline probably fed them even more.

"It is frustrating to have that lead at 60 minutes and then you let them in like that."

There were positives in the game, including scoring four tries against a side that rarely concedes tries.

"But to take the foot off the pedal with 15 minutes to go, that's the frustrating part for us and a world-class side like the Springboks will punish you when you're not quite accurate in your half."