Shukri Conrad: Proteas 'need to get bloody better' after first Test calamity

The home team were outplayed over five days as Australia cantered to a 214-run victory in the opening Test in Durban to go 1-0 in the three-match series.

While Conrad was disappointed with the performance at Kingsmead, the Proteas mentor insists the management will not become "panicky" as they sit down to reassess their options ahead of the second Test that starts in Gqeberha from Sunday.

The current Proteas outfit are still World Test Champions, and they conquered India away from home the last time they played a series in the longest format.

"Look, this was neither a calamity nor a catastrophe. We just lost a cricket Test match," Conrad after the defeat against Australia.

"It doesn't mean that you've now got to go soul-searching and questioning all the things that we've done really well and are doing really well. We just need to get bloody better.

"And at a time like this, obviously, the leadership needs to step up and head that up. We lost the Test match. We need to be better."

"We obviously need to look at how we can improve the side without being knee-jerk in our decision-making and panicky. We need to show composure.

"The question is always, will it make the boat go faster if we make changes, or will it slow the boat down? And we're constantly looking at how we can make the boat go faster."

Conrad zoned in his team's batting unit that didn't perform to the required level needed in the Test arena against a world-class Australia bowling attack.

While there have been calls for changes to be made to the playing XI, the coach will first look at what conditions will be served up at St George's Park.

"We were out-batted, no doubt," Conrad said. "On a wicket like that, in our first innings, you shouldn't be falling behind. We got starts, but nobody went on to make a big score. That's the disappointing part.

"We need to see what Gqeberha throws up and base our decisions on the conditions and the combination we think gives us the best chance.

"We need to front up, and we need the personnel we believe will front up. Will there be changes? We've got guys in our squad who probably deserve an opportunity, so that's certainly an option."