Australia return to the scene of one of the nation's most embarrassing collapses with a clear message from coach Darren Lehmann: bat better.
The tourists headed to Cape Town on Tuesday following a six-wicket loss in Port Elizabeth, where South Africa levelled the four-Test series thanks to masterful performances from AB de Villiers and Kagiso Rabada.
Rabada, who is set to miss the third and fourth Tests through suspension, rocked the visiting batsmen with raw pace and reverse-swing while taking 11-150 at St George's Park.
Australia lost 5-21 in their first innings then 3-24 in their second dig, with Steve Smith uncharacteristically involved in both slumps.
It was a far cry from Australia's nightmare at Newlands some six-and-a-half years ago, when No.11 batsman Nathan Lyon top-scored with 14 as his side were rolled for 47 and recorded the nation's lowest Test total since 1902.
It was also a much-improved performance compared to the horrors of Hobart that South Africa inflicted in 2016, when Smith made an impassioned plea for more resilience after finishing 48 not out in a total of 85.
But losing clumps of wickets and the fact no batsman has converted a start into a century remains a concern for Lehmann, who has given players some pre-planned time off before the series continues on Thursday week.
"Batting's got to improve," Lehmann said.
"We've got to play and bat better than the first two Test matches.
"(Dean) Elgar and (Hashim) Amla showed our blokes a little bit how to get through (tough periods and wear the bowlers down) ... you make your runs at the back end against quality attacks and that's what we've got to get better at."
Elgar and Amla added just 43 runs in the post-lunch session on day two but importantly denied Australia's star-studded attack a wicket when the ball was starting to reverse.
De Villiers then slapped an unbeaten 126, ensuing his side claimed a first-innings lead of 139.
"That's the difference at the moment, AB went on," Lehmann said.
"The series is going to be so tight, runs are going to be at a premium against two quality bowling attacks. We need those guys (Cameron Bancroft and Usman Khawaja) to go on once they get in."
There is a nine-day break between games, with the Test squad to resume training next week. Australia took a similar approach in India last year, wanting to ensure players are refreshed mentally and physically.
Smith, renowned for his work ethic and marathon net sessions, may find it hard to stay away for that long after logging scores of 56, 38, 25 and 11.
"He's disappointed with his output. He sets his standards so high, so we expect him to come back strong in the last two Test matches," Lehmann said.
The world's best batsman is averaging 32.50 in the series, having also failed to reach three figures when South Africa toured Australia in 2016-17.
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