Embattled captain Steve Smith has admitted the disastrous loss to South Africa in the second Test at Bellerive Oval was a ‘low point’ for himself and the Australian team.

The Proteas sealed victory by an innings an 80 runs, dismissing the Australian side for 161 on day four in Hobart.

In the process, they handed the home side its fifth straight Test loss and ensured South Africa clinched the Test series 2-0, with the third and final Test in Adelaide now a dead rubber.

“It’s a bit of a low point for myself and for Australian cricket,” Smith told ABC Grandstand after the match.

“We’ve lost the first two Tests of the summer, I don’t think that hasn’t happened for a while.

“It’s a disappointing place to be in at the moment but we’ve still got a lot to play for in Adelaide.

“Obviously the series is gone but we’ve lost our last five Test matches and that’s not good enough from an Australian cricket team.

“We’ve got to find a way to be a bit more resilient and turn things around because we’re not in a great place.”

Changes on the table after dismal loss

Smith admitted that changes would be on the table as the Australians reviewed the comprehensive defeat.

“I’m sure that’s going to be spoken about. We’ve lost our last five Test matches, so those kind of things are going to come up,” he said.

“In the end it’s up to selectors what they want to do. I can assure you things will be talked about.”

South Africa won the second Test with five full sessions remaining to seal a 2-0 series victory over Australia. Photo: AP

A frustrated Smith said his side had once again lost wickets in clumps to put itself under pressure, showing an inability to hold the line against a tough South African bowling attack.

“(We) didn’t have that fight and resilience in us. That’s what I asked for from the boys to try and spend that time out in the middle and keep their bowlers out there bowling, but we didn’t have that fight and we haven’t been resilient enough,” he said.

“But credit’s got to go to SA at the same time. Their three quicks have bowled beautifully in this Test match.”

Message not getting through, says Smith

While he praised South Africa for its impressive performance, Smith had no answer when asked why the message of selling their wickets dearly was not getting through to Australia’s batsmen.

“I wish I knew. It’s just about being able to spend enough time out there, grind it out,” he said.

“Things do get a little bit easier when you’re out there for a while.

“We’re not finding way to get these big partnerships together and keep their bowlers coming back and put them under a little bit of pressure.

“So they’re able to dictate terms and bowl a good length and get the ball moving both ways and I think they exploited the conditions really well in this Test match.”

Collapse kickstarted by Khawaja loose shot

Australia had added just eight runs to its overnight total of 2-121 when Usman Khawaja departed, caught behind off Kyle Abbott to a loose shot for 64.

Kyle Abbott took 6-77 in South Africa’s innings and 80-run demolition of Australia in the second Test in Hobart. Photo: AP

That kickstarted a swift collapse, with the hosts losing 8-32 to be all out for 161, sinking to an innings defeat with five full sessions left in the match at Bellerive Oval.

“We need to find a way to have more fight and hunger and a bit more pride,” the Australian captain said.

“Today was about trying to grind it out and bat for the day and we know if we do that we’re going to score 250-plus and give ourselves a bit of a lead.

“But the way we started, we lost wickets in clumps again and weren’t able to build any partnerships and we weren’t able to be resilient enough to hold out their bowlers.

“Philander and Abbott and Rabada, on a wicket that’s got a little bit in it, they just keep coming back and hitting that 10-cent piece and not giving you any freebies.

“I don’t think I scored for the first 11 overs this morning they just gave us nothing. Challenge your defence and I think that’s one thing our bowlers need to look at as well.”