"To be honest who could see that coming because we played so well and they just weren't good enough."
However, he feels the Springboks will bounce back against the All Blacks on Sunday.
"The Springboks have been struggling a little while for depth of talent, depth of experience."
Lochore reckons last year they had a very poor year but this year they started really well and looked reasonably confident until they ran into a black unit "playing out of their skin" in the 57-0 flogging at North Harbour on September 16.
"I hope they continue to be a real challenge for us because world rugby needs the Springboks to be strong.
"I see some problems because they pick players who are in Europe and so do Australia."
Consequently he says the depth of domestic competition in the two countries isn't as strong as it is in New Zealand and that was reflected a tier up as well.
"Springboks had one good side in Super Rugby and Australia had a pathetic year."
Lochore says the primary cause of the problem for the two protagonists is in allowing their players to ply their trade abroad.
"You can't burn the candle at both ends. You can't play club rugby there [in Europe] for so long and then return home and think you can step up to the international stuff quickly."
He says if New Zealand adopts a similar policy rugby here will "go to the pack".
"We'll lose a lot of talent. Our Super Rugby sides won't be as strong because players who are seeking to become All Blacks will leave and we won't ever seen them again.
"Our standard of rugby in New Zealand will become pathetic and people will stop watching while others will stop promoting the game and no one will worry about club rugby so there are all those sorts of things.
"If that happens our rugby will go quickly on a downward slide."
In an ideal world, Lochore says yearning for strength to run down the spine of the code is desirable but he cites France where he says wealthy people own most of the clubs.
All the talk, he says, is on the number of foreign players in France's competitions.
"There's hardly any Frenchmen in the teams so that's going to put France behind the eight ball, in terms of international rugby.
"We have to be very careful how we go into the future because if we're the only ones who are doing what we're doing and doing it well then so be it.
"As long as people are working their butts off to want to be an All Black then we're okay."
The 46-time All Blacks skipper believes the All Blacks are in a great place because if coach Steve Hansen can drop several players and still beat Argentina than the coaching stable is doing something right.
He rates versatile lock/flanker Vaea Fifita as phenomenal and a dynamic Liam Squire appeals as does Scott Barrett, who came on as a blindside flanker to wow fans.
"We've really got some talent there who want to get into the All Blacks."
He says the All Blacks appear to be enjoying their rugby while working tirelessly to improve their standards.
"We've seen them do things we haven't seen them do for a while.
"Yes, sure, they've had some average games from time to time but when the heat's on they go really well."
What Lochore finds heartening is Hansen's commitment to injecting new blood who tend to measure up.
That, he feels, is a tribute to the national panel of selectors.
"Nobody [newbies] who has put on an All Black jersey has gone on to let the team or themselves down because they do really perform."
He is mindful of Hansen taking risks but says they tend to pay off because he seems to have an excellent rapport with his players.
"The hallmark of a good coach is when the players work for him so there's a good combination and, clearly, that works really well for Steve Hansen."
Lochore says that is not to say the All Blacks are a one-man band because the likes of assistant coaches Wayne Smith, Ian Foster and front row/lineout specialist Mike Cron are equally imperative in the potent equation.
"The one I think is an unsung hero is Gilbert Enoka," he says of the All Blacks assistant manager. "He does all the sport psychology work."
Lochore, who spent considerable time with Enoka when he was coaching the All Blacks, says "getting the heads right of young players for a top performance" was his portfolio.
While the All Blacks drew their three-test series against the British and Irish Lions in the winter here, he says it's vital for the New Zealanders to be tested every so often to ward off complacency.
"It was close and I think we were a little unfortunate on a couple of calls at the end of two tests which could have changed the series.
"For the good of rugby that was great but I do feel sorry for the players because they aren't going to get another chance and will be as the side that drew with the Lions in 2017, which is a little bit sad because they are a little better than that," says Lochore.
