Forwards coach Jason Ryan said they are now concentrating on the second Test and were encouraged to build the positive aspects of the first Test.
"We want to play some footy, and if all goes well, we'll be able to do that again and keep our game going. But we're just looking to build consistency in our week and game.
"You can stand here and say, 'We want to respond, and all that'. We should respond to every Test match. We're challenging the group to be better as much as we can every day."
The collisions, set pieces, and tackles [at Ellis Park on Saturday] were of a greater intensity than they have had this year.
"We're looking to build on that. The boys have recovered well."
Ryan said the All Blacks' drop in intensity and lack of scoring in the final quarter were issues they were looking at. They hadn't finished at Ellis Park as well as they could.
"We talked about that in our review. We've got some younger men starting their Test careers, so we're honest about the reality of where we're at with that part of it, but by no means are we sugar-coating it and overlooking it.
"We are acknowledging it and we'll look to improve it."
However, he said the coaching group was confident they were making progress in their game.
Selection was about maintaining consistency in the squad and selection choices, but it was also about giving players an opportunity to experience the intensity involved in playing the world champions in their home country.
He said South Africa Rugby apologised to the team for the flyover of a jet aircraft during the haka, and the All Blacks accepted that.
"In all honesty, you sometimes get a bit of chaos around that but the South African players stood there and respected as they always do.
"It's probably the officials are the ones that need the upper cut."
Ryan said in his recent Tests, flanker Ethan Blackadder had performed well.
"One thing I know about Ethan is the bigger the contest, the better he goes. He's showed some good consistency in his game, he's had some big shifts and he's gone to the well in every Test. He's given everything he's got."
Blackadder said that while the All Blacks were disappointed in losing the first Test, it had been a good game, and they were looking forward to the second Test. Their excitement came from realising they were so close.
"The motivation is high to get it right for the second Test.
"We're focusing on small margins and finishing the game. It was evident we couldn't quite close it out the way we wanted to, and that's what we're striving to do, finish the job."
The All Blacks were happy with how they started the game but were disappointed at letting the Springboks back in, whether through errors or their discipline.
"For us, it's nullifying that, being squeaky clean to not let them play the way they want to. Rugby is a simple game and if you nullify that the team can't come back."