The Springboks face a period of such pressure and introspection in the coming five days that they will either collapse or be galvanised as they attempt to save their World Cup campaign.

How deep the mental scars of Saturday’s shock 34-32 loss to Japan in their World Cup opener in Brighton run will only be evident after their next match against Samoa at Villa Park. But right now‚ Springbok rugby has never been so low.

Team psychologist Pieter Kruger should be working over time this week. But since he came on board the Springboks have regressed mentally as much as tactically‚ so maybe he should stay out of it. Perhaps it really is a case of too many cooks in the Bok set up.

Coach Heyneke Meyer admitted he has never been as low as after the Japan fiasco‚ but he‚ his management and the player leadership will have to find a way to look forward and not back. The Springboks are not out of the World Cup‚ but they could be if they slip up against Samoa. There is no more margin for error — it’s knockout rugby for now on for the Boks.

Only Meyer knows what rallying cry he will use in the week‚ but he only had to reference France in 2011. Four years ago‚ the French lost two Pool matches‚ but still went all the way to the final‚ losing 8-7 to hosts New Zealand.

That will be of small comfort for the Springboks now but they have no more options. They have to find a way. It’s debatable whether‚ after five defeats in their last six Tests‚ the Boks can find the secret to turning it around. It appears that Meyer is out of ideas and it’s too late to change now.

“We have to go back to the drawing board and fix the things that went wrong‚” prop Tendai Mtawarira said. “In parts of the game we showed what we could do but our discipline and defence let us down.”

Meyer will also need to show his strength. The time has come to turn to form players and not pick on reputation.

Captain Jean de Villiers is a warrior‚ but injuries have ruined his build-up. He looks out of sorts and with the in-form Damian de Allende waiting for his chance‚ the captain will have to sit out. It’s a big call‚ but there isn’t any other kind available to the coach.

Scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar does little more than pass and Fourie du Preez’s introduction off the bench against Japan showed glimpses of his tactical genius. He needs to start.

Fullback Willie le Roux should have played against Japan‚ and his omission was a mystery. The Boks took a ball-in-hand approach against the Blossoms without the player that gives them the most incisiveness.

Pat Lambie failed to take his chance against Japan and Handré Pollard must surely be recalled. The only time dangerous centre Jesse Kriel was put into space against Japan was after Pollard replaced Lambie.

Up front‚ No8 Duane Vermeulen must either go home or play. His neck injury was unfortunate but he was selected‚ which means he should be available.

Willem Alberts is seemingly forever crocked but the Boks could really use his bluntness against a team as physical as Samoa.

There are so many questions and apparently so few answers at the moment.

Samoa‚ who beat the USA 25-16 on Sunday‚ will be emboldened by what Japan did and will suddenly fancy a Bok scalp for the first time in their history.

There is a big target on the Boks’ backs now — and rightly so. They have done nothing to expect a place in the last eight. They are going to have to earn it the hard way.