It's clear that most of the players picked for the Saturday's money-spinner Test against Wales in Washington DC are not in Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus' immediate plans for highly anticipated three-match series against England.
Erasmus left his 'big guns' at home to get ready for the Tests against Eddie Jones' men in Johannesburg (9 June), Bloemfontein (16 June) and Cape Town (23 June), as the round-trip to the United States would have put serious pressure on the team's preparations.
Erasmus, though, has given the Boks who will take on Wales some motivation by saying the door isn't completely closed. If they perform well in the American capital, they could force their way into the team for Ellis Park.
KweséESPN looks at five candidates who need to make a big impression against Wales to get a look in for the England Tests.
Elton Jantjies
The Lions flyhalf's inconsistency at Test level over the last two years saw him lose his starting berth to Handré Pollard during the November tour.
Jantjies has been one of the top flyhalves in Super Rugby over the last two years, steering the Lions two successive finals. But he hasn't been able to consistently bring his all-round game and attacking flair into the Test arena, which is a real pity.
But on Saturday he gets one more chance to show that he can handle the demands put on a Test flyhalf and dictate matters against the Welsh. This could be a defining match in his Test career.
Ivan van Zyl
The Bulls scrumhalf wasn't part of the Rassie Erasmus' Springbok alignment camps leading up to the June Tests. But, with a shortage of world-class scrumhalves coming through and Van Zyl's consistency in Super Rugby, it was worth it giving him a shot.
Erasmus has thrown the scrumhalf net wide, as he looks to unearth the next Fourie du Preez -- the next Bok match winner -- after the coach said that none of the current crop of scrumhalves have really put up their hands for selection so far this year.
Van Zyl will have first crack at the Bok No 9 jersey this weekend. He needs to make the most of this opportunity.
Wilco Louw
The tighthead forced his way into the Bok squad with powerhouse displays in the Currie Cup last season, but he hasn't been his consistent self in Super Rugby so far this year.
Louw is a fantastic operator at scrum time and player who gets around the park. He relies on his freaky power to dominate his opponents, and normally wins his one-on-one battles. But normally in your second or third season, opposition players tend to expose your weaknesses.
Louw need to tighten up his technique if he wants to be regarded as South Africa's undisputed powerhouse in the No 3 jersey. Power at this level is not enough, you have to be street smart as well.
Jesse Kriel
It may literally have been a coin toss between Kriel and Sharks centre Lukhanyo Am as to who will feature in the No 13 jersey for the Boks this year, as both have been really good in Super Rugby. But it seems Am has got the inside lane at point for the England series after Kriel made the trip to the United States.
The hard-running Kriel hasn't claimed that outside centre berth despite being in position of that jersey for much of the last three years. His defending in that channel has always been a bit of a concern, and he will certainly tested by big George North on Saturday.
Kwagga Smith
The Lions scavenger gave up his blooming Sevens career to concentrate on the 15-man game following a top performance for the Barbarians against the All Blacks last year.
Smith is a proper fetcher and link player, and has the ability to add a different dimension to South Africa's loose trio. He is dynamic with ball in hand and is a great support runner, while he will steal his fair share of balls.
Smith, though, isn't the biggest player in the world, and will need to prove that he can handle the physicality of the Test arena.