The 26-16 loss to the Springboks at the graveyard of Ellis Park last Saturday has re-raised a horrible question about the Wallabies: how to win away from home.
This question will hang over the team like a curse right through to the World Cup, which will be held in France this time next year.
No answer will be found on the November tour of the UK, where the Wallabies will play – and almost certainly beat – Wales, Italy, Ireland and Scotland.
Under new coach John Connolly, the Wallabies have transformed themselves from woeful to world class in a season. There are four other teams in this class, the All Blacks, the Springboks, the French and probably the English, the present cup holders.
The scrum remains vulnerable. And backups are needed at halfback and flyhalf, for captain George Gregan and Stephen Larkham respectively. But the Wallabies have made a science of peaking for the World Cup.
And a year is a long time in rugby. After all, only a fortnight ago the Springboks were in crisis after losing to the French, losing twice to the All Blacks and losing twice to the Wallabies, including a 49-0 humiliation in Brisbane in July.
But over the past two weeks the Boks have beaten the All Blacks and the Wallabies, proving that they are back from the brink.
Flyhalf Andre Pretorius returned from injury to guide his side to victory over the Wallabies in Johannesburg on Saturday, scoring 14 points in the process. As well, the pack re-found its aggression and competence.
Yet, coach White remains unpopular in the republic. For example, he refuses to pick outstanding Western Province openside flanker Luke Watson, infuriating fans.
The reason is political, according to some South African commentators. Watson's father, Cheeky, was an anti-apartheid campaigner, who, when on course for Springbok selection, renounced "white rugby" to play with black clubs in the townships.
Watson commented, "The type of political baggage I come with is normally held in high regard, as my father was a liberation fighter."
Meanwhile, the All Blacks are on top of the world, having lost only one game this year. Coach Graham Henry rotated his players, often changing most of the team from one Test to the next.
This policy is now over and the real All Black team will be unveiled on their November tour of France and Wales.
Henry believes the All Blacks are playing at 75 per cent of their potential. As well, he has a handful of frontline players returning from injury, including centres Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu and dynamic loose forward Sione Lauaki.
Still, the All Blacks remain vulnerable at the lineout. And they have a habit of peaking between world cups.
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