Vernon Philander, hero of day one with his 10th career five-for says the Proteas have much to do before they can feel comfortable in the second Test at Hobart.

‘Looking at the scoreboard I think we are a little bit ahead,’ he said. ‘There is still a lot of work to be done, there is still a lot of cricket to be played. We are a team that wants to get as many runs as possible in the first innings to give us a big lead. The job is nowhere near done.’

The Proteas lead by 86 with five wickets in hand after bowling out Australia for 85.

The strong position was due to ‘a magnificent all-round performance from everyone,’ he said, sidelining his display which brought him five wickets for 21 runs.

‘Catches need to be taken, there was also a magnificent run-out, all those things add up to a collective team effort and allow you to bowl a team out. You need those things to go your way, it was a magnificent performance.

‘We are a side that prides itself on taking those 50-50 chances; whether it be a magnificent catch or a run-out. Those dismissals lift the team and the morale.’  

 Australia coach Darren Lehmann remains optimistic and says his batsmen have to remember what South Africa did in the first Test.

‘First and foremost, we have to take five wickets very quickly and then we have to go in and bat big, just like they did in Perth. Everyone is hurting after that first innings and I can’t see them batting as badly again.

‘There were a couple of technical problems [among  the batters] and some mental decisions that weren’t right, so it’s up to them to correct that.

In particular, he expects better of David Warner, who flashed at a delivery from Philander in the first over. ‘We know how David plays, but not on a fresh track in seaming conditions in the first over. He really should have got used to the conditions.

‘At the end of the day, 85 is not good enough from an Australian cricket team, there’s not much more you can add to that.’

Photo: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images