Nathan Lyon's place in Australia's Test side is being debated for the first time in three and a half years but South Africa's aggressor Quinton de Kock says he only has respect for the offspinner.
Lyon is the most experienced member of Australia's current XI, with the current clash in Hobart being his 59th Test.
But Lyon, nicknamed GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) by teammates because no other Australian finger spinner has taken more Test wickets than his 213, has recently failed to live up to his moniker.
It has led to speculation he could be axed at some point this summer.
Lyon was one of many players to underperform in Australia's 3-0 Test series loss in Sri Lanka earlier this year, with coach Darren Lehmann noting "his record on the subcontinent is not great, he has got to improve".
The tweaker also struggled to make an impact against South Africa at the WACA and Bellerive, recording figures of 2-38, 0-146 and and 0-57 in the series so far.
However all five Tests have featured poor batting performances from Steve Smith's side, while Shane Warne and Michael Clarke have both questioned how the skipped used his spinner.
De Kock, who attacked Lyon in his knock of 104 on day three of the second Test, felt it would be wrong to read too much into Lyon's figures in Hobart.
"Nathan is a quality spin bowler. There were just one or two shots that flew in my head that I played, instinctive shots, which happens," de Kock said.
"And afterwards he bowled really well to me.
"To be a spinner in Australia is not easy, so you must understand that he has done exceptionally well in his career and we must respect that.
"Next game he could get me out twice, that's just how it is, so I must give him some respect."
