Australia all rounder Andrew Symonds hopes the confidence he gained from taking three wickets during South Africa's first innings in the second Test will help him return to form with the bat.

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Symonds, under pressure to hold down the all rounder's spot in the Australian side after a lean run, scythed through the touring side's middle order by taking three wickets for six runs in 19 balls.

His career-best return of three for 50 on Wednesday ensured Australia took a 44-run lead on first innings.

"There's still a long way to go in the game," Symonds told reporters. "There's a lot to do and I'll probably have to bat again as well so hopefully I can get some confidence off my bowling ...and that will flow into my batting.

"As a cricketer, you try to draw on anything when things aren't going well and look for some sort of positive vibes and feedback for yourself.

"If that's what I feed off tomorrow then I'll take it.

"Hopefully I won't have the nerves when I walk out there tomorrow and I can step into the first half volley and whack it down the ground for four.

"I play my best cricket when I'm not thinking about it and am acting on instinct.

"That's what I've got to do tomorrow when I get out there. I have to trust myself and be instinctive."

Symonds, who bludgeoned 156 against New Zealand in a one-day game this month and averages almost 38 in the shortened version of the game, has scored just 101 runs in nine test knocks and was out first ball in the first innings.

"It really helps when you first start any career, either one-day or Test cricket to get a really good score or two and it just launches you off," Symonds said.

"I've been searching for that a bit and I've gone through a period where I was really nervous before I batted.

"It's just one of those things. You have those days when you whack balls and they go straight between fielders or someone puts you down on 10 and you go on to get a good score.

"You've just got to keep trying and doing what you know works for you.

"That's all I've been doing and, hopefully, tomorrow it goes well for the team."