Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus admits that his team is getting worse in some aspects of the game.
South Africa suffered their second defeat in as many matches when they lost 23-18 to Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.
And after also losing to Argentina in Mendoza in their previous match, Erasmus has not yet guided the team to a win on the road.
Up next is a trip to New Zealand where the Springboks will face the world champions the All Blacks on Saturday.
And while admitting they are the underdogs heading into the clash, the fact that his team is not improving is a worry for Erasmus.
He explains: “In some things we are getting better - our mauling was great.
“But in other things we are getting worse.
“For me that’s the frustrating thing - and that’s something me as a coach not only has to take responsibility for, but also [suffer] the consequences for that.
“We have to improve in all areas.”
Erasmus says they played “stupid rugby at stages” in the defeat and adds: “The big frustration was that apart from that seven points [Michael Hooper’s second-minute try], there was the lineout overthrow and that’s 14 points against a Wallabies team that was wounded.
“We could have put them away if we didn’t play stupid rugby at certain stages.
“Then the second half the pressure got to a few guys and they will have to learn from that - I include myself in that, not just the players.”