Australia vs South Africa 2016: 5 things South Africa should do to come out on top in the second Test

South Africa are on the cusp of another series victory Down Under as a Faf du Plessis-led side take on Australia at Hobart on Saturday. The Proteas have been the visitors with the most success in Australia in recent times, notching up back to back series wins under Graeme Smith in their last two tours.

This series is different though because South Africa are without their best batsman, AB de Villiers as well as strike bowler, Dale Steyn, who succumbed to injury pretty early in the first Test at Perth. Timely contributions from the other members, however, ensured South Africa walked off with an improbable victory, one of their best in these shores, in the first Test.

They are in with a great advantage going into the second Test as the Aussies find themselves forced to bring in new personnel after losing Shaun Marsh and Peter Siddle to injuries. But the world has seen Australian cricket over the years and they rarely go down without a fight.

With players like Steven Smith, David Warner and Mitchell Starc in their ranks, the Aussies have the line-up to conjure up a victory against a Proteas side missing two big names. Faf commented on how the team is in a strong mental space ahead of the Test at Hobart.

"We rely quite heavily on being a very resilient team," du Plessis had said. "We're full of resilient players and personalities. If you look back on past performances here's been a lot of occasions when we are really under massive pressure and somehow a few of the guys who are really resilient fight really hard to get back in the game. That's always been a strong trait of this team."

While Faf has a point, South Africa are not devoid of weaknesses and a wounded Australian side is a dangerous proposition to face on a wet pitch.

On that note, take a look at five things South Africa should do to grab yet another series win:

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#5 Bring Stephen Cook to the party

Stephen Cook has been the one Proteas player with severe pressure on him going into the series. His batting at Perth was an exhibition of weakness as he struggled against Starc and Hazlewood. His indecisiveness at the crease cost Proteas an early wicket in the first innings as he edged to gully for a duck.

Cook is a fine player, with a tremendous domestic record and has the ability to dig in and fight through tight spells of bowling. He may have displayed none of that in Perth, but that is possibly due to him feeling that he is playing for a place in the side. A bit of confidence is what the opener needs right now and Faf has to be the one to provide it.

Cook is a vital player at the top of the order and a good opening stand in conditions favouring seam bowling will put South Africa in a good position.

#4 Bat around Faf

Faf du Plessis has stabilised the South African middle order

Faf du Plessis is the most stable batsman in this line-up and should act as the anchor. Not only does he provide the batting line-up with a stability at the top of the order, but also allows the likes of Amla and Duminy to play with a lot more freedom.

Though the no.3 slot has switched between Amla and Faf in recent times, Amla seems to have been made the designated candidate now. Faf has looked comfortable batting at 4 or 5 and his role would be to ensure that Bavuma and de Kock do not walk in to face the music very early.

Like Jacques Kallis, Faf is a strong batsman with a technique apt for Test cricket. He did join the act in Perth for a brief period but could not carry on. Making amends in Hobart will be one of his top most priorities.

#3 Fill the Steyn-shaped void

Dale Steyn has been ruled out of the series due to injury

This is a tough one. To replace one of the best fast bowlers in the history of cricket is no easy task but South Africa managed to make up for his loss in Perth courtesy Rabada and Philander. While the duo will be tired given the number of overs they sent down a few days back, they will have to pitch in again.

Obviously, one of Kyle Abbott and Morne Morkel or sometimes even both could cover up for Steyn. Abbott is a good bowler but the presence of world class bowlers in the Proteas line-up has meant that the 29-year-old had to be sidelined on most occasions.

Abbott seems to be the right guy to come in for Steyn at this point in time given his similarities to Steyn's style of bowling and Morne's injury. Whoever comes in, replacing Steyn will be tough but they can always look to make a mark for themselves by giving their best.

#2 Silencing David Warner and Steven Smith

Will SA be able to stop this deadly duo?

It is well known now that Aussies do not boast of great batting depth. But what they have up front are two dynamic players in Warner and Smith who are pretty capable of making up for any deficiencies in the rest of the line-up.

While the Proteas failed to control a rampant Warner in the first innings, a spectacular fielding effort from Bavuma came to their rescue in the second innings. Warner will be up for it this time and the Proteas need some sure shot plans against this Sehwag-style opener.

Smith was silenced in Perth by some disciplined bowling and the same has to be maintained at Hobart if the Proteas are to have a quick dig at the lower middle order. They do not want Steven Smith to join the Warner party as the duo can cause a lot of damage batting together.

#1 Guard against complacency and adapt to the new venue

Dean Elgar has warned his side against complacency

This is possibly the biggest challenge for a team on the back of one of the best victories by a Test nation in 2016. It is no easy to task to come from behind and notch up a huge victory with no contributions from the side's top batsman.

While the efforts of the youngsters at Perth is commendable, they have to guard themselves against any complacency that may have set in after a morale-boosting win in the first Test. Dean Elgar, a senior figure in the squad now, has warned his side against complacency.

Hobart is an unfamiliar venue for the visitors having last played a match here in 2009, an ODI, in which the only current players to figure were Amla and Duminy. While they would have picked the brains of their batting and bowling coaches, McKenzie and Langeveldt, who also figured in that match, it is up to the players on the field to get a grasp of the pitch and conditions on offer. If they do that right, there is no stopping this 'Protea fire'.