Hashim Amla concedes a more placid pitch was one of the main reasons South Africa handled Mitchell Johnson with relative ease in the second Test.

Johnson claimed career-best Test figures of 12-127 in the opening match on a bouncy Centurion pitch, also striking brutal blows to the helmets, hands and forearms of the opposition.

In Port Elizabeth, Johnson was restricted to match figures of 3-121 and rarely had Amla and his teammates ducking and weaving.

Amla, who returned to form with a match-high 127 at St George’s Park, suggested the surface helped his side see off Johnson’s new-ball spells.

“It was a lot more batter-friendly compared to Centurion,” he said.

“The wicket was vastly different. The one on Centurion was a lot harder and had a lot more variable bounce.

“For any team, when you’ve got variable bounce, it’s a lot more difficult to face. This wicket was a lot more true and the pace was a bit slower as well.”

Amla noted it was too early to predict what sort of pitch would be prepared for the series decider at Newlands, but said his side headed to Cape Town with confidence.

“Newlands has been a happy ground for the Proteas over the last few years, but the Aussies are a good team,” he said.

“Without a doubt, winning the second Test gives you a bit more momentum – a bit more confidence in the team; guys got hundreds and guys bowled well.

“It’s a better situation to be in going into a series decider.”

Amla went seven innings without a score of substance, but Proteas skipper Graeme Smith said nobody in the team doubted his form.

“He’s incredible. It’s a natural part of sport – and life – that you’re going to have little dips and up-curves,” Smith said.

“It really meant a lot to all of us to see him respond.

“It was great to see Hash bounce back from a small, small thing.”