New Zealand coach Steve Hansen said that the late penalty awarded to South Africa which cost his team a 22-match unbeaten record was a fair decision.
Replacement fly-half Patrick Lambie potted the monster 55-metre shot at goal to give the Springboks a dramatic 27-25 Rugby Championship triumph in Johannesburg.
Liam Messam high-tackled fellow replacement flanker Schalk Burger and after studying the incident on the Ellis Park big screen, English referee Wayne Barnes awarded the penalty.
It was a pretty tough old first half for us, but we kept believing and gave ourselves a chance of winning
Lambie, who had come on for outstanding two-try playmaker Handre Pollard, was at the edge of his goal-kicking range.
But he told skipper and centre Jean de Villiers he was confident and as the ball sailed between the posts, a sell-out 62,000 crowd erupted.
"I have no problem with the penalty because Liam made contact with the head," said Hansen following only his second loss in 37 tests since replacing Graham Henry after New Zealand won the 2011 World Cup.
The other reverse was a 38-21 drubbing from England at Twickenham almost two years ago.
"We have got no excuses," admitted Hansen. "We were beaten today by a team who played better than us by a little bit."
All Blacks flanker and skipper Richie McCaw, making a record 134th appearance for his country, had no complaints either.
"It was a pretty tough old first half for us, but we kept believing and gave ourselves a chance of winning," he said.
"There was not much in it at the end and I am hugely proud of the boys although it is still disappointing to lose."
South Africa led by 11 points during the second half before tries from right-wing Ben Smith and replacement hooker Dane Coles snatched a one-point advantage for New Zealand.
But Lambie showed no signs of nerves as he struck the crucial penalty and gave coach Heyneke Meyer his first win in six attempts against the All Blacks.
"We are relieved that this is done now. The win was due. We appreciate the compliments the All Blacks gave us afterwards," said Meyer.
The coach praised the crowd at a ground where the Springboks edged the All Blacks after extra time to lift the 1995 World Cup.
"We got unbelievable support. We sensed how much South Africans were behind us as we drove to the ground," he said.
"The singing of the national anthem was awesome. It was an unbelievable test."
Meanwhile in New Zealand on Monday, the country's media dismissed the All Blacks' loss as a "minor blip" which simply confirmed the Springboks will be their major threat at next year's World Cup.
In contrast to the soul-searching that normally follows a rare All Blacks defeat, pundits conceded the New Zealanders lost to the better team on the night, praising the Boks' adventurous play.
New Zealand Herald rugby writer Kris Shannon said South Africa "took on the All Blacks at their own game and won".
"Their normally conservative nature was eschewed in favour of free-flowing attack that came from all over the park," he wrote.
"And it's frightening to think what [rookie Springboks fly-half] Handre Pollard can accomplish with a little more experience under his belt."
Veteran commentator Keith Quinn said the loss showed the All Blacks there was no room for complacency as they prepare to defend the world title they won in 2011.
"No one can go on winning all the time, so this was inevitable," he told Radio New Zealand.
Former All Black Justin Marshall was similarly philosophical about the end of the unbeaten run, saying the All Blacks had a chance to bounce back against Australia on October 18.
"Sure if they go on to lose at Brisbane in the 'dead' Bledisloe Cup rubber, there might be genuine cause for concern, but at the moment Ellis Park can stand as a minor blip in a fairly comprehensive campaign," he wrote in the NZ Herald.
"The unbeaten run was going to end at some stage and it might as well end with nothing on the line."