All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said the lesson from the loss in Johannesburg was down to the opportunities the All Blacks gave South Africa in the last 10 minutes.
"We looked at all our efforts and then focused on areas we could be better. One of them is finishing matches."
Wing Caleb Clarke and flanker Ethan Blackadder sustained injuries that were not significant but enough to prevent their inclusion.
The decision to have halfback TJ Perenara and fullback Beauden Barrett come on from the bench was based on their experience, which they could inject into the game during the second half.
"It's a great couple of names to put out there with a lot of Tests and experience, and they'll come on and finish a job for us."
It was a tough conversation with both players, but Robertson said they were great teammen who had been around for a long time.
"They know the All Blacks jersey is so important to all of us, and if they need to come on and finish a job, they will.
"You've got to be respectful in those conversations and talk through your reasons, which they understood.
"They want to start and be out there for the majority of the match. But, it's how we finish the match that is the key."
Robertson said playing Wallace Sititi in his first starting Test on the blindside of the scrum was down to his athleticism and stature for such an important game.
"He's a great defender, [has] a great skill set, and we've been impressed with him in the last month, and believe that with Ethan's injury it is his time."
The selectors wanted to consider Cortez Ratima starting at halfback, and it worked out that this game was a chance, as was the decision to play Will Jordan at fullback to bring in Mark Tele'a on the wing.
"We're fortunate we've got some quality players for us."
Robertson is confident Jordan, who played for him at fullback many times for the Crusaders, was ready to handle the role in Test matches.
"He's good to go. He's fit and able and he's trained really well. He covers fullback and wing anyway in the structure we play so he'll slot straight in."
Ratima is quick and has a great pass.
"He's intuitive, gets himself in some great support roles and he does all the basics well. He's a great competitor."
The inclusion of loose forward Luke Jacobson on the bench was due to his ability to cover each of the three positions.
"He's captained his Super side, he's just what we need, we believe, for this week."
Robertson was disappointed for Blackadder, even if the injury was minor compared with those he had endured earlier in his career.
"He's in some great form. I was going through clips with him last night; it is his acceleration to everything. He hasn't pumped the brakes too often. It was great that he got his body to Test match level, and he could play consistently and have an impact on that match.
"Not naming him has been difficult because he deserves that opportunity. He'll be back pretty quickly."