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Firing a salvo ahead of the second encounter which begins at Adelaide Oval on Thursday (02:00 SA time), Chappell also said in his column on www.espncricinfo.com that the tourists “functioned like a badly-tuned Model T Ford” in Brisbane.
“South Africa were extremely lacklustre ... the two areas where they fell down badly were their bowling, which lacked venom, and tactical imagination.
“They sat back and waited for Australia to make mistakes, and against good sides that ploy usually backfires.
“While (SA captain) Graeme Smith seemed content to settle for a draw following a day lost to rain, Michael Clarke, as usual, was busy conjuring up ways to clinch victory.”
Chappell, part of the Aussie team famously beaten 4-0 in South Africa in 1969/70, added: “If Smith and the South African fast bowlers adopt a similar, passive approach in the second Test, the chances of an Australian victory will greatly increase.
“South Africa’s lack of variety in attack will be corrected by inclusion of (leg-spinner) Imran Tahir for Adelaide.
“However, the absence of venom from their quicks will only be rectified by a concerted effort from Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.”
Some South African observers may be tempted to view Chappell’s unflattering remarks as a wily attempt to suck the Proteas into taking unnecessary risks at Adelaide, where conditions generally favour batting and victories often have to be hard-earned.
The Aussies have to win the three-Test series to topple South Africa from their ICC top-ranked perch.
*Follow our chief writer on Twitter: @RobHouwing
