Graeme Smith had some simple words of advice to his team as they started day two of the Test decider minus Dale Steyn and in a lot of trouble.

“This is the card we’ve been dealt, there’s nothing we can do about it,” overworked paceman Kyle Abbott recalled of Smith’s pep talk in Cape Town on Sunday.

Steyn’s hamstring strain has been sorely felt by Abbott, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander.

Already the trio have bowled a combined 78.3 overs and there will be more punishment to come on Monday if Michael Clarke opts against an overnight declaration.

Add in a howling wind and Clarke’s dogged innings, the latter stages of the 127.4 overs the Proteas spent in the field can’t have been much fun.

“That’s Test cricket. It tests you mentally and physically,” said Abbott, who could consider himself unlucky to go wicketless after impressing on day two.

“It was pretty demanding out there.

“After 120 overs in the field or bowling (almost) 30 overs, you’re going to feel tired.

“The wind was challenging. We said this morning and yesterday morning that yes the wind is there, but there’s no point moaning about it.

“We stuck at it well … we have to just get on with it.”

Steyn was slated to have a fitness test on Sunday morning, but it was postponed until the second innings in the hope the added rest would help him recover.

Clarke, who scored 161 not out to lift Australia to a total of 7-494 at the end of a rain-affected second day, admitted the absence of Steyn was a big help.

“They’re short of bowlers so of course it made it easier for us. He’s a class bowler. You can see how well he bowled in Port Elizabeth,” Clarke said, referencing Steyn’s incredible spell of 3-4 from 15 balls in the seconds Test.

“It’s certainly a big hole.

“You don’t wish injury on any player … you go through injuries yourself and you know it’s not a nice thing. Hopefully it’s not too bad.”