Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade has insisted that the Test series against South Africa has not yet slipped away.

Wade, who top-scored with 68 as Australia were bowled out for 163 on the second day at the WACA in Perth, suggested that there was still time for the hosts to reverse their fortunes in the game despite South Africa's burgeoning lead.

"We definitely don't feel like the series is slipping away," he said. "We've probably played seven days of really good cricket and outplayed them for seven days and now we've had a couple of bad sessions in a row."

Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla put on a massive 178 runs in just over 25 overs after tea, and by stumps South Africa's lead had grown to 292 with eight second innings wickets still standing.

Such quick scoring in Test matches is not unknown at the WACA, however, and six years ago Australian captain Michael Clarke and former wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist registered the fastest 150-run stand of all time at the ground.

South Africa also famously chased down 414 to win the Perth Test four years ago, but it would take a miraculous transformation for Australia to avoid defeat.

"We're lucky that it's day two and if all goes well tomorrow, we'll be batting at some stage and then chasing a total on day four which is probably going to be the best day to bat," insisted Wade.

"It would be easy to look at the negatives today, but I think we've got to look forward and realise we're going to be chasing a reasonably large total but on a really good wicket and they've only got their three quicks going up as well."