Australian coach John Buchanan has demanded a far better effort with the ball after admitting his attack was "a bit all over the shop" on day one of the first Test against South Africa in Perth.

Buchanan also defended his batsmen after Australia was dismissed for just 258 in its first innings inside 76 overs after winning the toss and batting on Friday.

Australia was cruising at 2-117 shortly after lunch, but lost 7-78 late in its innings in a disappointing collapse.

Ricky Ponting top-scored with 71, but Brad Hodge's 41 was the next best effort as Australia regularly lost wickets through rash shots.

Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken then showed some ill-discipline with the ball as South Africa reached 0-38 in reply at stumps.

Buchanan defended his batsmen, expecting them to learn from their mistakes on Saturday, but put the focus squarely on his attack.

"I think if we sit back and reflect on it a bit, most (of our batsmen) will feel they're still in pretty good shape," he said.

"They just made a poor decision at some stage of their innings.

"I would hope to see that reflected in our second innings.

"Certainly bowling-wise it was a bit all over the shop and a bit rushed.

"I expect to see us come out (today), and I'm sure South Africa expect us to come out, and bowl a lot more like the way we normally do."

Matthew Hayden (0), who fell in the second over of the day attempting an audacious pull shot, Justin Langer (37), Mike Hussey (23), Andrew Symonds (13) and Adam Gilchrist (6) all lost their wickets through poor shot selection.

Makhaya Ntini was the chief destroyer, finishing the innings with 5-64 in South Africa's first ever Test match at the Perth ground.

One of the Australian bowlers will need to produce a similar effort to drag the home side back into the game.

Shane Warne needs two scalps to pass Dennis Lillee's record of 85 wickets in a calendar year.

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