Rabada receives some fatherly advice

South Africa's suspended spearhead Kagiso Rabada has all but admitted his guilt before a formal hearing on his physical send-off of Steve Smith, saying he takes responsibility.

Rabada has appealed a level-two charge of making "inappropriate and deliberate physical contact" with Smith during the second Test.

The express paceman will miss the final two chapters of the four-Test series through suspension unless he's successful at Monday's hearing.

The video conference will be chaired by judicial commissioner Michael Heron, a New Zealand lawyer who conducted a formal review into his homeland's 2007 Rugby World Cup failure and sits on Super Rugby judicial panels.

During his post-match media conference in Port Elizabeth, a contrite Rabada said, "I can't keep doing this because I'm letting the team down and I'm also letting myself down".

The repeat offender, whose poor disciplinary record is what triggered a two-Test ban, remains remorseful.

"I take responsibility for what happened. On the video, it looks like I got into the guy's space so I shouldn't have done that," he said at a sponsor function.

"I'll say 50/50 it's my fault. I didn't feel anything in the moment.

"I must obey the rules. I do things because I'm passionate. Sometimes, you are bowling against the best players. I guess I shouldn't really rub it into their faces.

"It's about managing your emotions and making sure that you follow the rules, not do anything stupid.

"It teaches you about yourself and how you react in certain situations, and what is a better way to react without losing anything. 

"My father has given me advice, short and sweet - he told me to relax and talk with the ball."

Proteas captain Faf du Plessis appeared resigned to losing Rabada for the rest of this series.

"Our strike rate is zero per cent at the moment with trying to challenge these cases, it will probably stay at zero," du Plessis said after the second Test.

South Africa are expected to argue contact between Rabada and Smith was the fault of the Australian skipper.

Smith was consulting with his batting partner about the merits of a review when the paceman brushed him while unleashing a screaming send-off.

The series, level at 1-1, continues in Cape Town on Thursday.

Qantas tour of South Africa

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

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, 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 Newlands, Cape Town, March 22-26. Live coverage

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