He may be a case of last man standing but Kurtley Beale is still first choice as the Wallabies five-eighth.
Beale will again wear the No.10 jersey in Australia’s final Test of the Rugby Championship against Argentina, after being one of their best amongst the carnage of 31-8 loss to South Africa at Loftus Versfeld.
The 24-year-old, in his first Test start at five-eighth, was given little room to move by the determined Springboks, who suffocated Australia at the breakdown.
But he stood tall as backs Berrick Barnes (chest), Adam Ashley-Cooper (concussion) and Digby Ioane (knee) all went down around him and were forced from the field.
Barnes is likely to be sent home and miss the clash with Argentina, and with outspoken Quade Cooper injured and out of sorts back in Australia, the Wallabies have no other options at five-eighth.
But coach Robbie Deans said he wasn’t looking for another.
‘”I thought Kurtley was outstanding in the difficult circumstances,” Deans said.
“We didn’t get much ball on the front foot but he was able to create some momentum for us on occasions.
“When you’re down to 14, 13, 12 men it’s pretty difficult to create too much but he created quite a lot for us, not only in terms of his carry and putting others into gaps but his kicking game as well.”