Magic Miller sees Proteas home in thriller

Aaron Finch said Australia's "ego" was a contributing factor in their three-wicket loss to South Africa on Saturday morning, but insists there are plenty of positives to be taken from the defeat.

After Finch and new first-drop David Warner got off to a flying start, the Proteas clawed their way back into the contest through ace leg-spinner Imran Tahir and frugal fast bowling in the middle overs.

It's there where Australia's position of strength, at 1-69 at the end of the powerplay, crumbled to 6-104 seven overs later, with Tahir (3-21) and medium pacer David Wiese (2-16 off four overs) applying the brakes.

Finch, who plundered 40 off 18 balls before hitting a Tahir full toss to the fielder stationed on the cow corner fence, said Australia have "a lot to learn" through the middle stages of the innings, and toning down their bravado might be the answer.

WATCH: Finch address Australia's failings

"I think there were some times when our ego probably took over a little bit," Finch said.

"When you're playing against a quality spinner on a wicket that's assisting him, we probably had to play a little bit smarter.

"Myself included – if I hit that full toss for six it could be a different scenario, you get Imran (Tahir) on the back foot.

"But we know once he gets his tail up and he's got some new batters to bowl to … he's a hell of a bowler and someone who is tough to get away."

WATCH: Finch makes opening statement

But Finch identified areas of improvement in the tourists first T20 after the humbling 3-0 series loss to India in January that prevented the visitors from rising to the top of the off ICC T20 team rankings.

"The way that we bowled with the new ball, the way we took wickets in the first six overs," Finch said what asked what positives can be taken away from Kingsmead.

"When we go back, our last three games against India we struggled to get wickets at all, let alone at the top of the innings.

"To knock over a couple early was a real positive and allowed us to get into that middle order, who played beautifully in the end.

"I think that's one thing that we'll take, a real lot of confidence with the new ball there."

WATCH: NCN spoils ABdV's day

Australia were also electric in the field, holding onto every possible chance while affecting two run-outs and hitting the stumps on a number of other occasions.

"We've been criticised over the last few months about our fielding in all forms of the game," Finch said.

"So I think the effort we've been putting in over the last few days and couple of weeks leading up to this tour, it's been huge.

"More fielding than I can remember us doing in the past and I think it's showing dividends.

"You have games where you drop catches and that's going to happen.

WATCH: Spectator hit by flying six

"At the end of the day nobody means to do it. We're putting in a lot of work at the moment, so hopefully that can continue and we can get the rewards there."

Australia and South Africa now fly to Johannesburg for Sunday night's match at the Wanderers before heading to Cape Town for the series finale on Wednesday.