Australia coach Darren Lehmann expects South Africa will quickly pick up the pieces from the first Test wreckage and attack the visitors in Port Elizabeth.

The world No.1 Test team were humbled by Australia in Centurion, and risk losing their first Test series since 2009 if they’re unable to at least force a draw in the second Test that starts on Thursday.

Lehmann suggested the Proteas’ batting, bowling and fielding woes would be sorted out in the four days prior to the clash in Port Elizabeth.

“They’re a pretty professional mob, South Africa. That’s why they’re No.1,” Lehmann said.

“They’ll work that out very quickly and train accordingly and get prepared for the next Test match.

Proteas skipper Graeme Smith suggested his side would benefit from the jarring loss, inflicted largely by Mitchell Johnson’s career-best haul of 12-127.

“This side has a lot of confidence,” Smith said.

“Even though it’s been very disappointing, this game will benefit us going into the next game.

“Our bowlers have got good time in their legs and hopefully will be at a lot higher intensity in the next game.

“If we can post some good totals … we’ll have the ability to put Australia under pressure.”

Smith pointed to the Proteas’ two-Test series in Pakistan last year, when they lost the opening game by seven wickets but managed to draw the series, as proof of their self-belief.

“We’ve had a lot of success, we’ve also faced a lot of tough times,” he said.

“We lost the first Test match against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi not so long ago and had the ability to bounce back.

“We were comprehensively beaten over the last four days and we’ve got to be man enough to admit to that and make no excuses.

“We’ve got to find a way to respond.”