We humans are funny beings, often happier in a routine than forcing our hands to challenge or push boundaries.

Satisfied with the status quo, we often convince ourselves that change is negative or too risky. Although, oddly enough, this routine or habit often becomes negative. Something we once believed increased security in our daily lives can become detrimental. Adopt a behavioral routine that feels right, consistent, and comfortable.

It’s that habitual mistake that England currently exist in, sticking to the script and trusting that the current process will work.

The closure of international matches, or the inability to do so in England’s case, is a self-fulfilling prophecy. The actions of the individuals involved create a feeling of inevitability. Consciously or not, we communicate subtly, through body language, facial expressions and tone. In times of increased stress, we pick up on these little signals.

For England’s players in those final seconds against Australia, even when they took the lead with just over two minutes on the clock, they would have believed. When Marcus Smith hit the conversion from the touchline it would have gone deeper and those soft signals increased positively.

Then came Maro Itoje’s abandoned reboot. A small error in the context of the whole game but critical. Whatever efforts were made to motivate and invigorate their compatriots in white, the knowledge that England had given Australia one last chance will have sent nervous signals through the group.

Does this mean that England did not gain the upper hand? Not at all, but it did mean they had to get back into their defensive routine and commit to the system that had let them down a week before in another agonizing defeat to New Zealand.

Confidence is also key in clutch moments. Smith stepping in on the edge, when it looked like Ollie Sleightholme would recover, shows a lack of confidence in the system. It’s hard to say Smith could or should have stayed away, but in these key decision-making moments, it’s easier to not take that risk, stay safe, and not change. So as not to change this habit.

The key question is that England must find a solution, a way to win and, more importantly, a way to remove the habit of self-destruction that has recently become part of its DNA.

It’s certainly possible for Steve Borthwick’s side, who burst onto the scene a few months ago and caused a surprise by beating hot favorites Ireland in a thrilling Six Nations encounter.

But the other, more immediate problem is that the two-time world champions are coming to town this weekend and they often don’t have much sympathy for the opposition. South Africa were ruthless, albeit below their usual standards, in their victory against Scotland last Sunday.