All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith admitted his side were lucky to escape with a 25-24 win over the Springboks in yesterday's Rugby Championship Test match in Cape Town.
Smith said South Africa caused headaches for the All Blacks at set piece and had a point to prove after their 57-0 drubbing in Albany last month.
"Their set piece wasn't very good in Auckland which was totally different to yesterday," said Smith.
"We knew that if they got their set piece right and nailed their scrum and lineout, it's a whole new game and that's exactly what happened.
The All Blacks coach says his 37-man squad should have enough depth for both the tour and the future. (Source: Other)
"They were able to pressure our set piece as well. I only think we had two or three attacking lineouts which is pretty rare for us."
Smith believes the match could have gone either way.
"When you minimise not much attack, that's going to happen and it just became an arm wrestle," he said.
"It comes down to little moments and we were just very lucky that we won by one more than them."
The All Blacks will have one week rest before taking on the Wallabies next Saturday in Brisbane for their final Bledisloe Cup Test.
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