Proteas back 'fighter' Elgar to find form: 'He is key to our batting unit'

The Proteas will continue backing struggling skipper Dean Elgar in the ongoing three-match Test series against Australia.

South Africa has already succumbed to a 2-0 Test series defeat, with Australia dominating proceedings at a rain-affected Sydney Cricket Ground.

Despite Friday's day three being washed out without a ball bowled, the hosts sit comfortably on 475-4, with Usman Khawaja unbeaten on 195 with less rain expected on day four.

But it's been a poor showing with the bat for the Proteas, which is led by opener and skipper Elgar.

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Elgar has struggled in the middle alongside the Proteas top-order as the Proteas Test captain has only managed to score 3, 2, 26 and 0 in the opening two Tests.

Proteas batting coach Justin Sammons believes that Elgar, who is averaging 7.75 in the Test series, is a fighter and that he'll find form.

"I mean, you need a little bit of luck every now and again. He has had a couple of umpires calls, two dismissals down leg so it hasn't quite gone his way," Sammons told reporters on Friday.

"He's a fighter, you know, the tour is not over for him yet. We've still got a big two days ahead of us and hopefully, he can finish on a positive note.

"But he's trying his best and we back him. We know he's key to our batting unit. Sometimes you do need things to go your way, it's a game of fine margins."

Following the SA20, the Proteas take on West Indies in a two-match Test series from 28 February to 12 March in Gauteng.

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Australia is pushing for a series whitewash to seal a place in the World Test Championship final in London in June.

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