The Springboks hit back against the All Blacks in Cape Town to level the series, but Rassie Erasmus still has some huge selection decisions to make ahead of the third Test.
South Africa got the result they desperately needed, although the performance was far from perfect as New Zealand repeatedly found ways to trouble the world champions.
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With the series now finely poised, Erasmus has the opportunity to freshen things up again.
Here are four changes we think the Springboks boss should make.
#1. Jesse Kriel OUT – André Esterhuizen IN
Jesse Kriel couldn’t have asked for a better start in Cape Town, crossing for the opening try after just two minutes.
However, the experienced centre endured a much more difficult afternoon defensively.
Kriel missed several tackles as New Zealand repeatedly threatened the Springbok midfield, with a couple of those defensive errors contributing to All Blacks tries.
Erasmus has another hugely physical option waiting in the wings.
André Esterhuizen featured from the bench in Cape Town and could be unleashed from the start, potentially with Damian de Allende shifting across to outside centre.
That would give the Springboks an enormous midfield combination while adding another powerful carrier to their attack.
RUCK VERDICT: Esterhuizen deserves his opportunity. Start him at 12 and move De Allende to 13.
#2. Jasper Wiese OUT – Cameron Hanekom IN
This could be the biggest change Erasmus makes.
Jasper Wiese started shakily with another knock-on at the point of contact and struggled to make his usual impact with ball in hand.
New Zealand clearly identified the powerhouse number eight as one of South Africa’s biggest threats and regularly swarmed him before he could generate momentum.
That’s where the problem starts.
When Wiese isn’t making metres through contact, his lack of a natural ball-playing game can make the Springbok attack more predictable.
Cameron Hanekom offers something different.
The Bulls star replaced Wiese during the second half in Cape Town and possesses the pace, carrying ability and handling skills to cause New Zealand different problems.
RUCK VERDICT: Hanekom starts at number eight and gives the Springbok attack another dimension.
