Rassie Erasmus has more questions than answers after the Springboks' opening Rugby Championship matches against Argentina.
The Boks followed up a largely comfortable victory win in Durban with a soft performance in Mendoza, where they were both overrun by the Pumas and dominated at the breakdown. But there are more areas of their game which should be a concern for Erasmus.
KweséESPN looks at some of the burning questions to which the Springboks coach needs to find answers for their clash against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.
Can new centre pairing cure Springboks' defensive woes?
England and Argentina exposed the Springboks' defensive fragility in the wide areas, while the Pumas also found holes on the inside after their forwards had provided front-foot ball on a platter in Mendoza. The Boks to be fair, are still testing new combinations, with two rookies in the centres and on the wings in the first two matches. This weekend, however, Jessie Kriel and Damian de Allende will resume their partnership in the middle of the park, and they have to be at their best to contain the dangerous Australian backs. Kriel, especially, needs a big game defensively, as he has sometimes struggled to hold his own in the No. 13 channel at this level.
No Pocock for Wallabies, but can Siya Kolsi thrive as Bok fetcher?
Siya Kolisi probably had his best match of the year against Argentina in Mendoza, where he played in his preferred blindside role. The Boks captain loves playing with ball in hand, and he broke a couple of tackles, made metres and scored a try. Kolisi will be back in the No. 6 jersey for the Boks on Saturday, however. He played openside in the series against England, and he was solid without quite being spectacular. Kolisi is not a natural opensider, and he'll likely be glad that Australia are now without the injured David Pocock, but still he has to be the Boks' go-to man to stop the Wallabies from getting quick ball.
Can Elton Jantjies be the Boks' general and kick the goals?
The Springboks' backline is crying out for some direction, and this time it's Elton Jantjies' turn to see if he can command the troops from fly-half position. Handre Pollard's general play was average in the first two Rugby Championship matches, while his goalkicking was really poor. Jantjies had a shocker in his most recent match in a Boks jersey, at a cold and extremely wet Newlands against England, and this match gives him another opportunity to try to make the No. 10 jumper his own. Goalkicking will be a big factor, as a good day off the tee may just give him the inside lane ahead of the clash against the All Blacks.
Will Rassie Erasmus unleash Papier and Kolbe off the bench?
Embrose Papier and Cheslin Kolbe are X-factor players who can create something out of absolutely nothing. Scrum-half Papier hasn't quite had an opportunity to showcase his talents off the bench, as Erasmus has only afforded him six minutes -- on the wing -- in the two matches against Argentina. But to build capacity at scrum-half, Papier needs a proper run against the Wallabies. The Boks' forwards have made a great impact off the bench, but it's time that South Africa develop backs who can also make an impact. Rugby has become a 23-man game.
Can the Springboks lineout and maul get into gear?
The Springboks need to get their lineout firing, because it's one of the key weapons in their arsenal. A top lineout gives South Africa many options, including their maul, which they have used to good effect against Australian teams in the past. Bongi Mbonambi's lineout throwing was outstanding in the England series, and he gets another chance while Malcolm Marx gets a rest. The Boks' use their maul to milk penalties and help their exits, while it's also their go-to play in the opposition's 22. The Boks they will be hard to contain if they can get this part of their game right.