MORE: Peter Siddle reaping rewards of Mitchell Johnson dominance | Gallery - South Africa vs Australia First Test
Is there a place for Shane Watson?
Darren Lehmann and the Australian hierarchy love all-rounders and usually bend over backwards to squeeze Watson into the team.
But so far on tour, Watson is yet to role his arm over in the nets, and so cannot be considered an all-rounder.
As a specialist batsman Watson is more than decent. But there is no place for him in Australia's current line up, especially after the returning Shaun Marsh and debutant Alex Doolan each made match-winning contributions at Centurion Park.
Who needs to lift?
A 281-run thrashing in the first Test means Australia are very unlikely to make an unforced change.
However pressure is building on opener Chris Rogers. The 37-year-old opener was out for just four and one in the first Test. The left-hander was comprehensively beaten in both of those dismissals, although his diving effort to save a boundary in the dying overs of the match won earned lavish credit from Lehmann.
Ryan Harris looked short of rhythm in the first innings before improving in the second. At times he appeared to struggle with the chronic knee problem that will require surgery after this tour, but Lehmann figures he will be better having blown out the cobwebs.
How can the Proteas hit back at the Aussies?
It's hard to see how South Africa can combat Mitchell Johnson's reign of pace terror. As Proteas coach Russell Domingo said after the annihilation on day two, "there is nothing that can prepare you for that kind of bowling at that kind of intensity, even if you've seen it before."
But leaving that threat aside, Graeme Smith's team has plenty of room for improvement in the field. Uncharacteristically, they dropped three catches on day two, while the Aussies did not miss a single chance all match.
What team changes might South Africa make?
One Test defeat should not be enough to warrant wholesale changes but it does underline the huge void left with the retirement of all-rounder Jacques Kallis.
Bowling all-rounder Ryan McLaren could be a casualty if South Africa decides to make changes. Dean Elgar, with seven Tests to his name, is the extra batsman in the squad and could strengthen the middle order.
Having not passed 30 in his last seven innings, JP Duminy is also vulnerable.
Spinner Robin Petersen is South Africa's third major worry after he was targeted last Test. Leggie Imran Tahir is the alternative, although he has similar weaknesses with limiting scoring.
Australia's record at St George's Park
Located in the windy coastal city of Port Elizabeth, St George's Park boasts a 3-2 win-loss ratio for the visitors.
Australia's most recent match there was in 1997, when eight wickets in the match from Jason Gillespie and a Mark Waugh century helped turn a 101-run first innings deficit into a two-wicket victory.
The last time South Africa played there was January 2013 when Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and Dean Algar each made centuries. An uncompetitive New Zealand was forced to follow on and fell a whopping 193 runs short of making the Proteas bat twice.
Conditions
Don't expect ground staff to be pouring water on the St George's Park wicket - It will be slower and lower.
Chasing more than 200 will be difficult in Port Elizabeth. Only two teams have successfully chased scores past 200 - Australia in '97 and South Africa in 1952.
According to the forecast, Thursday's opening session might be cloudy but hot weather will follow for the rest of the match, which could aid the spinners in the second innings.
Prediction
Considering Johnson claimed 7-40 on the drop-in pitch at Adelaide Oval earlier this summer, South Africa will need to do more than just produce a dead wicket.
Expect the Proteas to hit back with a vengeance. But the wounds of Centurion might be too raw for them to halt the flourishing Aussies.