Australia's batting woes have continued, with another top-order flop playing a key part in their six-wicket one day international loss to South Africa on Sunday in Perth.

The home side never recovered after slumping to 3-8 in the sixth over when captain Aaron Finch failed to review a lbw decision that went against him.

Replays showed the Lungi Ngidi delivery would have sailed over the stumps.

Australia crashed to 6-66 in the 21st over, and were eventually bowled out for 152 in the 39th over in front of 24,342 fans at Perth Stadium.

South Africa took less than 30 overs to reach Australia's target of 153. ( AAP: Richard Wainwright )

The home side wouldn't have reached triple figures if not for wicketkeeper Alex Carey (33 off 71 balls) and tail-ender Nathan Coulter-Nile (34 off 31 balls).

They were the only players to make it past 16.

South Africa cruised to the victory target in just 29.2 overs, giving them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Australia have lost 17 of their past 19 ODIs, and are running out of time to get their act together for next year's World Cup in England.

Batting collapses have become a worrying trend in all three formats for Australia.

The bans handed to Steve Smith and David Warner have further exposed the cracks.

That was evident against Pakistan in the failed Test and T20 tour of the UAE, and Australia showed they were also vulnerable on home soil.

Sent in to bat on a lively Perth Stadium wicket, Australia couldn't handle South Africa's fierce attack.

Firebrand pace ace Kagiso Rabada (0-30) went wicketless from his eight overs, but it mattered little as South Africa received important contributions from their other stars.

Dale Steyn (2-18), Ngidi (2-26), Imran Tahir (2-39) and Andile Phehlukwayo (3-33) all chipped in to embarrass Australia on their home soil.

The day started badly for Australia with news that Shaun Marsh would miss the match because of an abscess on his buttocks.

Marsh was due to undergo surgery on Sunday to fix the problem. It is hoped he will return for Friday's second ODI in Adelaide.

Paceman Mitchell Starc, who suffered a minor hamstring niggle during the Pakistan Test series, joined Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Coulter-Nile in a powerful pace attack.

But Australia's tiny total meant the pace quartet had little chance to have any meaningful impact.

Allrounder Marcus Stoinis finished with 3-16 to be the best of the bowlers, with Starc and Coulter-Nile leaking runs.

Cummins (0-18) looked dangerous and gave Reeza Hendricks (44) a painful bruise on the shoulder with a rising delivery.

South African opener Quinton de Kock (47 off 40 balls) did most of the damage with the bat.

AAP