A figure of "just under 20,000" across all five days of the first Test was announced for Kingsmead Stadium, with stands empty for most of Australia's 214-run win.
South Africa are hoping for better attendances at St George's Park in Gqeberha for the second Test this week, but bad weather and scheduling could play a part.
Regardless, perhaps the most alarming factor was how normal it felt for Cummins and Australia, despite this series being a clash of the world's top two Test sides.
"It's one of those quirks when you tour overseas," Cummins said on Saturday.
"Even in a place like India, you have lots of people watching but not necessarily at the ground,.
"I personally enjoyed it last week. It was quite calm. Lots of Aussie tour groups, which is nice. But, of course, ideally you're playing in front of bigger crowds.
"Hopefully, the band's out here this week. That's always a feature of playing at this venue."
Outside of Australia, England and some parts of India, crowds for Test matches are not particularly strong.
Former Proteas captain Faf du Plessis last week questioned the decision to start the series at Kingsmead, owing to traditionally poor crowds and the hosts' record there.
In a statement, the CEO of the local KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union, Heinrich Strydom, labelled the crowds disappointing.
"A Test match of this quality, featuring the Proteas and Australia, deserved greater support in the stands," Strydom said.
St George's Park generally attracts better crowds, with the Gqeberha stadium one of the most iconic in the world with its band and older stands.
It has generally not been kind to Australia in recent years given its slower wicket, with the tourists last victory coming through Ian Healy's heroics in 1997.
Weather could present an issue for this Test, with rain forecast for the first two days.
Day one is also the only to be played on a weekend, while the early-summer schedule means this series is also clashing with school exams time.
It is understood many tickets still remain available at around $AUD 18, or around the equivalent of an average pub lunch meal in Gqeberha.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma was hopeful of a better turn-out than in Durban.
"Playing in PE (Port Elizabeth, now Gqeberha) is one of the ones we look forward to. There's a bit of a different atmosphere, with the band and everything," he said.
"Where we stay close to the mall, there's a lot more excitement from people. So hopefully that excitement translates to bums on the seats.
"I don't know with the weather, whether that's going to encourage the people's enthusiasm. But generally, PE is decently attended."
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