British and Irish Lions legend Sam Warburton has raised several concerns around the England set-up, from the on-field leadership to the coaching.
Steve Borthwick's men are currently on a run of five successive defeats, with their latest a 29-20 loss to the world champion Springboks.
It was a similar story to the previous four reversals as the Red Rose had opportunities to win the match, but they failed to get the job done in the final quarter.
Warburton therefore questioned the decision-makers and whether they had an ability to adapt when their initial game plan was not working.
"England had enjoyed some success running off nine earlier in the match, but now it was obvious that it wasn't working and I found myself saying, 'Where are the leaders?'," he wrote in his Times column.
"It's not all about the captain in such a situation, because as captain you need another five or so players contributing and being your eyes, being on-field tacticians and coaches.
"You cannot be waiting until the next break in play for the water carrier to come on with a message from the coaches. Those things need to be recognised by players on the field. And I don't see England doing that enough at present."
That also led to Warburton's next point and the role of Borthwick and his backroom team, who are under pressure after a difficult run of results.
The head coach has had to answer questions about his future and Warburton wondered whether the coaches have too much power in dictating what the players do.
"When they played with their heads up and the ball was given out the back to Marcus Smith, who was excellent again at flyhalf last weekend, they looked dangerous," the former Lions and Wales captain wrote.
"But I do wonder whether it's a case of being overcoached, because there were so many times when they were just relentlessly playing off nine when there was so much space available out the back. I just don't know why they weren't playing there."
Warburton compared the current England set-up to his time with Wales under Warren Gatland, which proved to be a hugely successful time for the country.
According to the ex-skipper, Gatland was receptive to the players' ideas and questioned if Borthwick had the same approach.
"With Wales, we had a leadership group who once went to the coaching staff to say that we thought we needed to change our style of play, because it had become too predictable," he added.
"As head coach, Warren Gatland always welcomed that type of feedback, and he was receptive to our thoughts.
"But I do wonder whether there is that same licence to challenge the coaches in the England set-up right now.
"There are some seriously good players in the side, but surely they can recognise that, after a third failed entry into the 22 in the second half, something needs to change.
"That's why I believe England have taken a small step backwards this autumn. But it's definitely not the crisis that some want to paint it as."
