South Africa coach Russell Domingo, who helped his side recover from a subcontinent-induced slump in 2015, believes confidence will be key as Australia seek to square the three-Test series in Hobart.
Domingo's contract was extended by Cricket South Africa in October but before that he was under immense pressure.
The Proteas last year failed to record a single victory from a two-Test tour of Bangladesh and ensuing four-Test tour of India.
They then suffered a 2-1 Test series loss to England at home, with the victory coming in a dead rubber after Hashim Amla resigned as captain.
South Africa relinquished the No.1 Test ranking and the heat was on Domingo to deliver. It's exactly the sort of position Darren Lehmann will find himself in if Australia continue to struggle this summer.
"It's about confidence," Domingo said when asked about the hosts' woes after their 177-run loss at the WACA.
"We came back from India and we took a beating there under tough conditions. A lot of players' confidence was dented.
"We missed a couple of big players and when you have some players with low confidence and one or two top players not there, it makes things very hard.
"I am assuming they might be in that space at the moment."
Domingo added it took "a bit of introspection to get out of that phase".
"I don't know what's going on with their players and in their change room, but I know we were in that position a few months ago," he said.
The series continues on Saturday when the second Test starts in Hobart.
The Proteas are set to recall either Kyle Abbott and Morne Morkel in place of injured spearhead Dale Steyn, who will miss the rest of the series.
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