New Aussie approach won't last long: Elgar

Proteas opener Dean Elgar says he can’t see Australia’s new-found approach on the field lasting very long after another grueling day for the tourists in Johannesburg.

In the aftermath of the Cape Town ball-tampering incident, outgoing Australia coach Darren Lehmann and new captain Tim Paine have acknowledged the way the Australians play their cricket and the culture within the national men’s team needs to change.

It’s led to Australia abandoning their aggressive, in-your-face behavior on the field, and while they continue to maintain a competitive approach, there is now next to no banter from the visitors. 

Elgar, who admits he enjoys some niggle from the opposition, was one of the key contributors in keeping Australia out on the field for more than 240 overs in this Test and alone frustrated the visitors for more than six hours in the second innings on his way to a glacial 81.

Australia’s extensive time on the field – specifically by their exhausted fast bowlers – has Elgar believing they won’t be able to maintain their new, overtly friendly attitude for much longer.

“I've played quite a few Tests against Australia and it's definitely been the most docile Test since I played Test cricket,” Elgar said after day four at The Wanderers were Australia need a further 524 runs to square the series. 

“I'm pretty sure it's not going to last very long. 

"I think you've got to have a bit of a tenacious approach sometimes in Test cricket. 

“Nice guys come second, that's my saying, so I think you've got to have an element of a little bit of proper fight out there, and sooner or later if your bowlers are clocking massive overs and they're biting their tongue, sooner or later they're going to unleash something. 

“There's a lot of frustrations in the game and a lot of frustrations that happen within five days.

“So, it's only human nature for guys to potentially say words to each other but that's fine, if you're not personal and just having a competitive edge on the field, I'm extremely happy with that.”

But Elgar feels for the Australians after a horror week that saw Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft banned and sent home, coach Darren Lehmann resign, three players called up just days before for the final Test and four punishing days in Johannesburg.

" You see guys like (Josh) Hazlewood and (Pat) Cummins and they just keep running in and you've got to tip your hat towards their efforts, no doubt,” he said.

“You've got to tip your hats to the guys who've just come in now and are playing on a really tough wicket to bat on. 

“There's a sympathetic way of looking at the last few days and weeks, and we are sympathetic a bit.”

Queensland opener Joe Burns was one of the trio parachuted in for the fourth Test, alongside Bulls teammate Matthew Renshaw and Victoria’s Glenn Maxwell.

Burns was out for 42 on Monday in Australia's pursuit of 612 before the visitors were reduced to 3-88 at stumps.

Despite a heavy loss looming, Burns says there is plenty to play for on Tuesday that doesn’t just relate to the result.

“It’s been a very tough week for the Australian cricket team,” said Burns after play. 

“There’s a lot of guys out there in the field really proud to be Australian and proud to be playing cricket for their country. 

“Tomorrow’s about coming out and just putting in a good performance for Australia, try and do the country proud and just try and really knuckle down and be proud of our performance tomorrow. 

“It’s going to be a grind, it’s day five, last day of a really tough series and there’s a hell of a lot of motivation to do well tomorrow. 

“So, it’s exciting to be going into the fifth day.”

Qantas tour of South Africa

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Quinton de Kock, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, AB de Villiers.

Australia squad: Tim Paine (c), Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Renshaw, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.

Warm-up match: Australia beat South Africa A by five wickets. Report, highlights

First Test Australia won by 118 runs. Scorecard

Second Test South Africa won by six wickets. Scorecard

Third Test South Africa won by 322 runs. Scorecard

Fourth Test Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3. Live coverage