Former Australian batsman Mark Waught has identified a technical flaw in David Warner's footwork which has contributed to a horror run of form.

Warner's form has been the hot topic in Australian cricket in recent times, with the veteran opening batsman getting the summer off to a woeful start.

He is coming under fire for his spot in the team, and while members of the camp - including chief selector George Bailey - have come out in support of him, players are snapping at his heels for a run in the Aussie side.

Waugh said on RSN Radio Warner's footwork and struggles with the short ball are linked together after his golden duck in the first innings against South Africa on a green Brisbane wicket over the weekend, with the Test over inside two days of play.

"His dismissal in the first innings was more of a concern where he took his eye off the short ball," Waugh said.

"He is a bit out of luck. Every mistake he makes at the moment, he is getting caught or chopping the ball on from a wide delivery, but his footwork against the quicker bowlers isn't quite what it used to be.

"He sort of looks to sit back a bit and his front foot goes to leg stump, rather than the line of the ball. To me, that's a sign that the short ball is worrying him."

"He's going to be tested. Short stuff is coming his way. As maybe it will for a few of the other batsmen. Travis Head will cop some stuff around the ribcage."

Despite that, Waugh said the second innings - where Australia lost four wickets in a chase of 34 - was down to the pitch, rather than Australia's poor batting, and they shouldn't be concerned on the back of it heading to the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the Boxing Day Test.

"I don't think it's [the second innings] a concern. Maybe for one or two players, it might have been for the way they got out, or a lack of runs for David Warner's sake, but I think it was just the pitch," Waugh said.

"If South Africa had of got another 80 runs, they probably would have beaten us. That pitch was seaming a foot and going up and down, and against a new ball and really good bowlers, you needed luck to score runs.

"It wasn't an issue with the bowling, it was the pitch and high-class bowling."