Robertson expects stern inquiry after losses

New Zealand coach Scott Robertson admitted there would be tough questions back home, after the All Blacks lost 18-12 to South Africa in Cape Town on Sept 7 to see their Rugby Championship hopes disappear.

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It was a fourth loss in a row for the world champions and a third defeat in four Tests in this competition, following a shock 38-30 opening home defeat by Argentina and falling 31-27 to the Springboks in Johannesburg.

"It was a hell of a Test match... We created enough opportunities but did not finish them. The best of us is finishing what we create, but there are small margins in Test rugby," Robertson said.

New Zealand led by 10 points with 12 minutes to go in their loss to the Springboks on Aug 31, and again this time they held the advantage into the second half but allowed their opponents to score two tries, while fly-half Damian McKenzie missed two crucial kicks.

All New Zealand's points came from McKenzie's boot, while the Springboks crossed the line via Siya Kolisi and Malcolm Marx. Flyhalves Handre Pollard and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu added a penalty each.