The All Blacks again took the maximum five points from their 31-17 win over the Springboks in Wellington on Saturday night and now have two weeks off before taking on the Wallabies for the first time this season in Melbourne.
Captain McCaw said there was huge satisfaction about winning the first two games of the Tri-Nations but the side could not rest on its laurels.
"These two weeks were going to be a big test of where we were at, and now we've got a week off.
"Things went well but there is still stuff to work on," he said.
"But certainly, the will to play and the effort the guys put in to make sure we're all on the same page and know what we want to do and take the right options [were pleasing].
"We don't want to chuck the ball around willy-nilly.
"We want to find space and that is what is pleasing about the last two weeks and fronting up physically.
"We're only a third of the way through this Tri-Nations and once we reassess this week it is another two big challenges in Melbourne and then back in Christchurch.
"It is a slightly different challenge. They are a different team to play.
"There is not much between these three teams, really.
"It is the tiny little things that you need to get right that can be 10 points between teams and we've seen it over the years.
"They'll be back next time. If we don't get the prep exactly right then they'll be right into us."
Assistant coach Wayne Smith talked about the will of the side, led by McCaw, to gain the win.
"We have got a team of immense skill but it was will that won tonight.
"You can talk about individuals but that was what nailed it tonight," Smith said.
"Ten weeks ago everyone was saying South Africans had all the skilled players, all the big fast athletes who were playing the best rugby.
"As Richie said the margins are very small, and I think it was will tonight, led by Richie, which made the difference."
Head coach Graham Henry said the team might not have been as good as last week but it was still a great victory.
"The thing that I'm pleased about is guys are prepared to have a go and express themselves as a team.
"To score four tries against the Springboks is hugely positive," Henry said.
"I don't think we were quite as clinical as last week but I think both teams felt the intensity of last week's game.
"To play two big test matches in two weeks is demanding.
"But the end result and the attitude to express ourselves was great.
"We are prepared to play rugby a fair way out from the goal line.
"I just believe the new interpretations of the tackle rule have changed the game a lot.
"Largely you're getting continuity of possession to build to score points. The guys are doing that exceptionally well.
"It is a major influence on the way the game is played now. And our guys are prepared to build from a fair way back now."
Smith praised halfback Piri Weepu who found plenty of space and sent out some good passes, particularly in the first half.
"He was clearly happy to be on his own track.
"In the first half he made two or three good busts. Then Jimmy [Cowan] came on and nailed his role, as well."
Springbok captain John Smit said there were more positives than last week but the side still came up short.
The yellow card to Danie Rossouw was frustrating and he said it was vital the team kept its discipline.
When asked if McCaw should have been yellow-carded after being penalised three times he said: "If it was my first year playing the All Blacks I would have been surprised but it is not my first year."
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers was disappointed with the law interpretations.
In six games this year he has had to contend with six different rulings on the ground.
