Carter led the All Blacks to a convincing 40-7 victory over a limited Springboks side in Wellington and steered the home ship with aplomb.
He felt the side grew into its attacking shape quickly and smoothly.
"We had to start well with some good efficiency and accuracy and that was the most pleasing part of the display," he said.
"Some of our attacking play was fantastic tonight ... our counter-attack was pretty dangerous, like it always is. We've put a lot of work into it, so it is always good that you get the rewards."
The first five-eighth admitted some of the moves practised at training worked well on the paddock which was always great for the team.
"The guys out there were really confident and that meant we played with the ball in our own half a lot more and maybe that led to a few of the kicks not quite coming off."
He felt it was one of those games where he could see the game well, and he ran the ball back with confidence, finding holes in a jagged Springboks defence.
Carter set up the second try for the All Blacks after 14 minutes putting in a perfect chip kick for Ma'a Nonu to run on to. When the ball was released from the ensuring ruck Carter sped down the blindside to put flying winger Zac Guildford into open space and his speed did the rest.
Earlier, Wyatt Crockett scored his first test try after the home team had camped in the Springbok half.
Carter felt his attacking game was the biggest plus from the performance.
"I thought I was being a threat tonight with the ball in hand and I was pleased with that. At certain stages we were getting fast ball and that creates space and put guys into holes, and it opens upa bit."
His goal-kicking was a mixed bag, missing half his kicks thanks to the swirling wind, though he thought he was striking the ball well.
Carter said the side would not be getting ahead of itself with the Wallabies looming this Saturday night in Auckland.
"I think we are pretty realistic about what happened out there tonight. We'll be pleased with some of the things that came off but we definitely will not get ahead of ourselves and think it is going to be a walkover and we'll do the same thing next week.
"We are up against a formidable side in the Australians, who pretty much did what we did to the Springboks."
The All Blacks went into the break 18-7 up after Cory Jane scored from a fine 50m run where he skirted through three forwards and then left fullback Morne Steyn eating dust.
The Springboks enjoyed their best period of the game in the 10 minutes before halftime, culminating in captain John Smit scoring under the posts.
But the visitors never got a sniff in the second half as Jane and Guildford added tries and Colin Slade, on for Conrad Smith, completed the try scoring 10m minutes from the end after a fine back move from the home team.
Otago loose forward Adam Thomson said he enjoyed the No 8 role, a new one for him at test level.
"The way the game is going with loose forwards the number does not mean much.
" I ended up playing all three positions tonight and was comfortable in all of them.
"I was happy leading from the openside being first to the breakdown and then at no 8 doing the work on the defence."
Thomson was part of an All Black front eight which completely dominated.
Lock Ali Williams continued his progress while captain Richie McCaw is also on the upward curve.
Halfback Jimmy Cowan ran well at times and also picked his moments to move the ball on while Nonu showed he is not going to give his jersey up easily.
Smit tried hard for the Springboks, as did flanker Jean Deysel, but the side was simply outgunned.
- The scores
ALL BLACKS v SPRINGBOKS
• All Blacks 40
Cory Jane 2, Zac Guildford 2, Wyatt Crockett, Colin Slade tries; Dan Carter 2 con, 2 pen
• Springboks 7
John Smit try; Morne Steyn con
• Halftime: 18-7.
• Crowd: About 30,000
