Ricky Ponting is clearly no longer the batting colossus he once was.
Australia desperately needed a hero after slumping to 3-34 in reply to South Africa's 225 on a tricky deck.
Enter Ponting, the retiring champion who strode to the crease on the back of a standing ovation from a near sell-out crowd.
The situation turned even more dire for the hosts when nightwatchman Nathan Lyon edged Dale Steyn to gully, reducing Australia to 4-35.
Ponting has thrived on pressure situations such as these for much of his illustrious 168-Test career.
But although his hunger to score runs remains as strong as ever, his abilities have waned markedly in recent years.
Ponting was nervous from the outset in his penultimate Test innings, with the 37-year-old almost caught first ball after a defensive prod to the leg side.
Then in his seventh ball, and with just four runs to his name, it was all over for Ponting as Vernon Philander sent a delivery crashing into his knee roll.
Ponting referred the lbw decision to the video review system, but Hawk Eye predicted the ball would strike the top of middle stump.
The dismissal left Ponting with a series average of six after scores of 0, 4, 16 and 4.
It's a far cry from his career tally of 13,370 Test runs at an average of 52.02.
Ponting will be remembered as a champion, and deservedly so.
But if the former skipper can produce a match-winning knock in Australia's second innings - and in doing so guide his country to the No.1 Test ranking - it would become a part of cricket folklore.
Once again, the stage is perfectly set.
And for the sake of Australian cricket, here's hoping Ponting can deliver the good for one final time.
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