Pat Cummins says Australia need to make amends after their 134-run defeat to South Africa on Thursday.

The Baggy Greens were convincingly beaten by host nation India in their Cricket World Cup opener and then dismantled by Temba Bavuma's side in Lucknow.

Cummins won the toss and put South Africa in to bat, with the Proteas making 311-7 — Quinton de Kock top scoring with 109 from 106 deliveries, his second consecutive century at the tournament.

Australia could only record 177 all out in response and the captain says his team are "hurting" as they try and regroup for their match against Sri Lanka on Monday.

Cummins said: "I think if we want to be challenging, you [have] got to try and find a way in all conditions, and that's for the bowlers try and take wickets and for the batters try and score runs.

"Probably not much needs to be said [to my team-mates] tonight. I think everyone's hurting. 

"We've got a few days and the next game's here as well. So we'll group and regroup, everyone's hurting. So we're trying to make amends."

Australia's catching against South Africa will be a source of concern for Cummins, who had to watch his side drop six opportunities.

But the fast bowler stressed the defeat was not solely down to mishaps in the field.

He added: "I wouldn't say it's one thing [where Australia went wrong].

"Maybe they [South Africa] got a few more than we would have liked. 

"And obviously 177 is off the mark as well. So yeah, it's a few things we need to tidy up."

South Africa skipper Bavuma praised both his side's performance and Australia's bowling, with Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell each picking up two wickets.

He said: "I think I'd be really greedy if I said there'll be areas that we can improve.

"I think there was a close-to-perfect game for us. 

"The goal is maybe with the bat, we could have finished a little bit stronger, but I think they really bowled well throughout the whole innings."