Captain Steve Waugh will order a full mental assault on key South Africans Mark Boucher and Jacques Kallis tomorrow when Australia faces the crippled Proteas in the second Test in Cape Town.

Boucher and Kallis can expect a torrid time from an Australian team which has shown no pity for the dire problems that have affected South Africa since the humiliating loss in the first Test at the Wanderers.

Wicketkeeper Boucher is again the reluctant captain after another injury setback to skipper Shaun Pollock and the walkout by senior batsman Daryll Cullinan over a contractual dispute.

It's hard not to feel sorry for Boucher, who must convince three debutants and scarred teammates that they can beat a ruthless Australian team hoping to celebrate Shane Warne's 100th Test and Justin Langer's 50th with a series win.

"If you can take the leader out then that's the way to go. There is no doubt about that. I know what it is like," Waugh said.

"There is a lot of pressure and everyone is looking to you to lift. (Boucher) has a big responsibility. He'll know we will come after him pretty hard as well. It is a big test for him."

Kallis will also feel the heat because the Australians suspect the talented all-rounder is running low on enthusiasm after a gruelling year anchored by four consecutive thrashings by Waugh's team.

Kallis had a poor first Test, dropping centurion Matthew Hayden before he had scored a run, while the Proteas also received little zest from veteran opening batsman Gary Kirsten.

South Africa's paper-thin hopes of winning this Test rest with the leadership abilities of Boucher, Kallis, Kirsten and new vice-captain Neil McKenzie.

"When you are down the senior players have to lead the way. If we can break those guys down it is going to be hard for the young guys to stand up," Waugh said.

"There is a lot of pressure on senior guys like Kallis. They are the guys who have to lead the way for the rest of the team and I know our bowlers will be targeting them.

"Teams have been intimidated by our firepower. We have match-winners in our team which is what you need in Test match cricket.

"We play aggressively and we never let a team have a breather. If we get on top we try and keep the momentum going. It is hard to fight back."

Waugh will again entertain the prospect of sending South Africa in to bat if he wins the toss on a Newlands wicket which looks ideal for batting.

With the recent hot weather, the pitch could turn as the Test moves on, leaving the Proteas with the genuine chance they could bat first after their dismal efforts of 159 and 133 in Johannesburg.

"When you're bowled out twice cheaply I don't think their batters will be real keen to bat on the first morning," Waugh said.

"It's definitely tempting to bowl, particularly after the West Indies (in 1998-99) when we bowled them out for 51 (and Australia won the Test by 312 runs)," Waugh said.

"We batted first in the next Test and they got a bit of momentum and got back into the series.

"When you're down and out batting it's very hard to have confidence to bat first. We're comfortable either way and if it comes down to they'd rather not bat first it's certainly tempting to send them in."

Australian selectors were yet to announce their team but no changes are expected from the line-up which won the first Test.

Australia (likely): Steve Waugh (capt), Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath.

South Africa: Mark Boucher (capt), Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith, Ashwell Prince, Neil McKenzie, Andrew Hall, Makhaya Ntini, Dewald Pretorius, Paul Adams.

© 2002 AAP