Rassie Erasmus's Springboks will need more than the expected physical onslaught if they want to get back to winning ways against Australia at a venue that has not favoured them.
The Boks have only won one out of nine Tests played in Brisbane (including a 49-0 drubbing) since returning to international rugby and despite their two heavy defeats against the All Blacks, it's Australia who should start as slight favourites due to their home ground advantage.
With the Bok pack certain to dominate in the Rugby Championship encounter, the visitors' fate rests to a large extent on the enigma that is Elton Jantjies, which doesn't inspire confidence considering his Test match jitters.
The Boks will have to be less wasteful than they were against the Pumas in Mendoza when it comes to try-scoring opportunities, with Jantjies needing to be the general at flyhalf Handre Pollard hasn't been of late.
It's going to take more than brawn to conquer the Wallabies and, hopefully, Erasmus has added more guile to his tactical recipe. Otherwise, three consecutive Test defeats loom for the new Bok coach, considering the world champions are next on the agenda.
Ironically, the little wizard Cheslin Kolbe, a former Stormer and now with Toulouse in France, could have the final say, if he gets a run in his first Test for the Boks. He possesses that X-factor the Boks need to become Rugby Championship contenders.
There is a small margin between victory and defeat in Test rugby – Kolbe could literally be that small margin. Providing the unpredictability the visitors need.
Teams for Brisbane
Australia:
Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Matt Toomua, Marike Koroibete, Kurtley Beale, Will Genia, David Pocock, Michael Hooper (captain), Lukhan Tui, Adam Coleman, Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio. Replacements: Folau Faingaa, Tom Robertson, Taniela Tupou, Izack Rodda, Ned Hanigan, Joe Powell, Bernard Foley, Jack Maddocks.
South Africa:
Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk, Warren Whiteley, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Tendai Mtawarira, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Francois Louw, Embrose Papier, Handre Pollard, Cheslin Kolbe.
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Kick-off: 11.30am