Ten Tests into his reign as Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus is increasingly bestowed with moments of clarity.
In the Rugby Championship he would have built a clearer picture of his players' temperament, ability to stand up from adversity and how to execute a game plan.
In an attempt to build depth he introduced 15 new players to Test rugby before the Rugby Championship, while Marco van Staden, Damian Willemse and Cheslin Kolbe have since been added to that list.
The Loftus defeat against the All Blacks would have driven home the realisation that the greenhorns in his squad will need to be carefully nurtured.
On next month's European tour, Erasmus has to stick to his guns if his objective of assembling a competitive squad for next year's Rugby World Cup is to be realised.
"Rassie has a plan and he should be afforded the opportunity to enforce that plan and build depth the way he has," said former Bok flyhalf Jaco van der Westhuyzen.
"We've taken a number of steps forward and that has enthused the public. I'm 100% in favour of building depth. What if a key player gets injured?"
That particularly holds true at scrumhalf where Faf de Klerk has been omnipresent. His snappy service and finger-on-the-trigger snipes around the fringes keep the opposition on their toes, and his tactical kicking has developed immeasurably since plying his trade in the north of England.
Many have found his seeming preoccupation with the box kick infuriating but the Boks tend to play a percentage game against the All Blacks on the Highveld.
De Klerk, you sense, has tapped into the rhythm and the pulse of the Bok battle plan. "Tactically we were a lot better," said Van der Westhuyzen. "In particular Faf. He made a big difference.
"You could see it on a couple of occasions where the plan was to box kick after one phase but he noticed some of the All Blacks were back and he played another phase and it compelled Ben Smith to go across and only then did Faf kick.
"Tactically at Loftus we were almost perfect. That helped keep us on the front foot."
With De Klerk declared off limits next month by his club Sale Sharks, Embrose Papier is likely to emerge from the shadows.
Van der Westhuyzen agrees De Klerk's unavailability is a blessing in disguise. "We know how important he is to the Springboks. I know the end of year tour is not the ideal place to blood a lot of new players because it is usually wet. But give them a chance. Let's see what they can do," said Van der Westhuyzen about Papier and Ivan van Zyl.
Van der Westhuyzen is happy with what he has observed in midfield but argues that Willemse should by now have had a crack in the No 10 jersey.
"I would have loved to see Willemse start a few Tests at 10. I like him a lot. We have Handre (Pollard) and Elton (Jantjies) but if one of them gets injured we're in trouble.
"He (Willemse) is a good, versatile player but he is more of a flyhalf than anything else.
"I don't think it will rain at the World Cup in Japan. He is a man that loves running with the ball. On a dry field he is the guy to try."
Four centre combinations have played thus far this season. Whether by design or circumstance, Andre Esterhuizen, Damian de Allende, Lukhanyo Am and Jesse Kriel all started in five of them. The breakdown corresponds in the Rugby Championship where they each started three Tests. Erasmus now has four strong midfield candidates.
On the left wing Aphiwe Dyantyi pretty much confirmed the view that he can shine on any stage, but on the right Erasmus may have different players operating in the No 14 jumper next month.
Van der Westhuyzen was highly complementary of the forwards, where reputations were generally enhanced.
At hooker too, though, Erasmus still needs to build depth. Malcolm Marx's influence is huge but the coach needs to build contingencies for when he is not available.
In Frans Malherbe, when fit, the Boks have a tighthead prop of genuine quality, while Pieter-Steph du Toit is fast becoming indispensable. Debate however, will continue to rage about the position that best suits his talents.
"Our backs did a lot of good things but it is because they got the ball on the front foot. Our forwards deserve credit for that," said Van der Westhuyzen. "On the whole the game management was very good and there was variety. We weren't predictable."
The only predictability Erasmus should now advocate is in performance.
KICKING THE LOSING HABIT?
RECORD
The Boks have played 10 games with Rassie Erasmus as coach. They have won five and lost five
NEW BEGINNING
The coach has introduced 18 new players to Test rugby this season
NEXT CHALLENGE
The Boks will play England, France, Scotland and Wales next month..