Boucher bemoans lack of Proteas energy: 'I can't put my finger on it'

The Proteas needed something special to get back into the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch on Friday, but they instead endured another nightmare day.

SCORECARD | NZ v Proteas - 1st Test

Bowled all out for 95 on day one, Friday's second day saw the Proteas bowlers knocked to all parts of the Hagley Oval as New Zealand carded a massive 482 in reply. 

To make matters worse, the South Africans were 34/3 in their second innings at stumps, still 353 runs away from making New Zealand bat again. 

It spells almost certain defeat, while what has transpired over the last two days combines for one of the worst Proteas performances in recent memory. 

As coach Mark Boucher acknowledged after play on Friday, the visitors have been outplayed in all three departments.

"It's been a tough two days. Extremely disappointing, especially after the series we had against India," said Boucher.

"I think there was a high expectation from everyone, and we just haven't come out and given the energy that is expected of us.

"As coaches, we'll keep going back and look at how we can best prepare the players for tours.

"It's a funny one, and I haven't quite put my finger on it at the moment, but I can see that the energies are way below par, and the results have shown that as well.

"We lost the toss, got behind the right ball after the first session, and we just haven't been able to get back into the game in all three departments.

"Our batting, bowling and fielding have all been disappointing."

When asked if the lack of energy might have something to do with the off-field issues that have surrounded South African cricket and Boucher, in particular, in recent months, the coach could not say. 

Boucher is being charged by Cricket South Africa on allegations