Graeme Smith has challenged South Africa to respond to the first Test defeat to Australia with an improved display at Port Elizabeth.

The Proteas skipper believes that the squad can look back on more successful periods as they seek to gain confidence ahead of Thursday's second Test.

"It's difficult to say why we have started so slowly in series, maybe we don't like to throw the first punch," Smith told journalists at a press conference.

"I think it's important to have the ability to respond and to know how to respond, experience plays a big role. The guys have a lot of reference points in terms of confidence and performances to fall back on."

South Africa are currently top of the ICC Test rankings, while Australia are third.