Australia allrounder Cameron Green appears set to miss the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha, with a return for the final match in Cape Town a more realistic timeframe.

Green returned to the nets for the first time on Thursday since he suffered an abdominal strain in the final ODI in Potchefstroom, having done fitness work while the opening Test took place in Durban. But he only faced gentle throwdowns, then did some slip catching on the outfield before another fitness session with the medical staff close by.

"He's here today. I'm not sure of his program, but he'll be hitting over the next week and he started to get moving last Test," assistant coach Matthew Wade said ahead of Australia's first training session at St George's Park. "I think maybe more looking for the third Test, but he's starting to get moving, which is a positive sign."

Head coach Andrew McDonald has previously indicated that Green would be unlikely to bowl at any stage in the series even if fit to play as a batter.

Green's absence in Durban led to a restructured batting order, with Matt Renshaw moving to No. 5 where he made 272 runs in the Test. Green had previously looked set for a run at No. 5 after an impressive series against Bangladesh in August.

Josh Inglis is more advanced in his return from a fractured finger and will continue to increase the intensity of his batting in the coming days. He faced Scott Boland and Michael Neser off their full runs in a centre-wicket net

"He'll start to push for this Test," Wade said. "Whether his finger is 100% right for this Test, I'm not sure, but he's looking to put himself on the frame."

Beau Webster's position at No. 7 could be under some scrutiny but given Australia won the first Test so convincingly, it would appear unlikely they would make changes, provided all the quick bowlers pull up from their workloads. Webster bowled on the centre-wicket net on Thursday alongside Boland and Neser.

Currently, there is some rain forecast for the first two days of the second Test, which gets underway on October 18.