Wallabies fullback Israel Folau counts himself a 50-50 chance of returning from an ankle injury to bolster a side he says has been "switching off" in the game's big moments.
The cross-code star rolled his ankle in the Bledisloe Cup opener and missed the subsequent Test as the Wallabies were soundly beaten in Auckland.
He trained away from the main group at the squad's Gold Coast base on Monday and wasn't overly optimistic when asked to assess his chances of lining up against South Africa at Suncorp Stadium.
"At this stage I'd probably say it's a 50-50. I've only had one run and that was on Friday," he said.
"I guess I'll know more as the week goes on."
He's been running on his injured ankle at Sanctuary Cove and if he proves his fitness, he's expected to wear the No.15, with his replacement Dane Haylett-Petty moving to the wing and rookie back Jack Maddocks shifting to the bench.
Folau admitted that pride was on the line against the Springboks after having their pre-Bledisloe confidence eroded during the past month.
"There's no doubt that really hurt us, those results," Folau said.
"It's been a tough couple of weeks in terms of the way we've been playing. That's obviously very clear."
While trying to dismiss it, Folau let slip the side's willingness to scramble had become an issue in their back-to-back losses.
"It's little moments in the game where some guys lapse and kind of switch off," he said.
"There's no sense of urgency, in the sense of wanting to cure that play straight away.
"It's something that we need to get on, as a team, on the same page."
Folau may be a way off full fitness ahead of Thursday's team announcement but he is in the best position to make a miracle recovery.
Long the home of Queensland's State of Origin training camps that Folau himself has been a part of, the Sanctuary Cove resort has witnessed its fair share of medical marvels over the years.
"I hope that rubs off for me. I've stayed here in the past. It's a great spot," he laughed.
Folau also hopes one of his favourite stadiums can again provide some respite for coach Michael Cheika's under-fire squad.
Australia beat Ireland in Brisbane earlier this year and also toppled the All Blacks in last year's Bledisloe dead rubber.
