"To go down 3-0 is very disappointing. We've learned a lot in the space of a week, watching world-class players go about their work. Those lessons will hopefully make us a better team."
New Zealand took just 13 wickets over the three ODIs, lost 29 and were always battling against the pace of the South African attack. Twice they got early wickets but were unable to really push the door open.
When New Zealand look at what went wrong in the limited-overs legs of the tour, they will recognise Eden Park as the place it all unravelled - not on Saturday night but back on February 22, when they butchered the deciding T20.
That turned a T20 series victory to defeat, and it all went downhill from there.
But if they need someone to talk the talk on the eve of the tests, look no further than new test squad member Andrew Ellis.
The Canterbury allrounder, who has battled serious physical adversity in the form of repeated back injuries, which came within one surgery of ending his career, is in the 13 for Dunedin.
He's unlikely to make the XI but his teammates should take note of his bullish attitude.
"Against these blokes if you take a backward step they're all over you," Ellis said. "You've just go to learn lessons as quickly as you can. They're still human.
"If you put the ball in the right place and bowl well you'll get success against them. They're not superhuman, that's for sure. Why can't we take these guys on and beat them? Win the first one, and see what happens."
Good, bold stuff, and certainly there's no point taking a defeatist view to Dunedin.
The return of test captain Ross Taylor, leading allrounder Dan Vettori, and senior seamer Chris Martin strengthens New Zealand's hand.
They won their last two tests too. This is a time for New Zealand to gather all the positives they can.
