Tremain had no time to settle his nerves on Sunday night, after skipper Steve Smith won the toss and sent the hosts in he threw the Kinross old boy the new rock, asking him to send down the opening over of the game at Johannesburg’s Wanderers Stadium.

The former Western Zone firebrand started reasonably well and eventually took his first international wicket too, dismissing Farhaan Behardien late in the Proteas’ dig, but the South Africans took advantage of the batting-friendly conditions to provide Tremain and fellow debutant Joe Mennie a first-up baptism of fire.

Tremain finished with 1-78 from his 10 overs as South Africa, led by Faf du Plessis’ century, plundered 6-361 from their 50 overs before rolling Tremain’s Australians for just 219.

Tremain finished 0 not out after coming in at 11, but produced an encouraging performance when asked to bowl the final over of the Proteas’ innings.

He only conceded 13 from it, and sent down a ballsy and well executed slower ball from the final delivery.

VIDEO: Former Kinross quick Chris Tremain and Joe Mennie receive their Australian One-Day International caps before Sunday’s game. 

Mennie finished with 0-82 to claim the unwanted record of most expensive, least successful spell by an Australia bowler in his ODI debut.

[Tremain and Mennie] have done everything they can to be here and to play for their country. It’s going to be a learning experience for them, especially [Sunday night],” Warner said.

"They have to go back and reflect on what they can do better, especially in the first 10 overs but with [Mitchell Starc and other bowlers] out it is what it is.

"They are staying positive, but the youngsters are going to learn.

"And they’re going to have to learn fast because we’ve only got a day or so off and then we have to come back for [the third ODI on Wednesday].”

Du Plessis smashed 111 from 93 balls – bringing his ton up off Tremain – while JP Duminy smashed 82 from 38 as the Proteas piled on 361. John Hastings was Australia’s best bowler with 3-57.

Travis Head (51), Warner (50) and Matthew Wade (33) were the only Aussies who made meaningful contributions in the chase, which came to a close at 219 in the 38^th over.

Tremain and Mennie opened up and kept South Africa’s openers – Quinten de Kock and Rilee Rossouw – honest through the first period, although they still put on 70 for the first wicket before the former was dismissed for 22.

The latter went on to compile 75, adding 76 with du Plessis, who then combined with Duminy to lift the score to 296 before the latter was bowled by Mitchell Marsh (2-68).

David Miller (26) led the Proteas’ lower order as they pushed their side’s score up to an unprecendented 6-361 – Australia’s highest ODI run chase is 334 in 2011.

Australia’s chase started badly as its top order faltered again. Aaron Finch (1), Smith (14) and George Bailey (9) all fell early, as did Marsh (19) to see the visitors slump to 4-87 inside the opening 20 overs.

Warner, Head, Wade and Hastings (23) tried to resurrect the chase but by then the game was all but gone, the Australians eventually finished well short of their target and went 2-0 down in the series.

The third ODI is in Durban on Wednesday (ADST).