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Johannesburg - Proteas ODI captain AB de Villiers expects a highly motivated Australian team to pitch when the two sides square-off in November.
"I think they very hungry, especially against us after we've beaten them now in Zimbabwe. I think... they'll want to give us a little bit of payback and I think that will be a great challenge first of all," De Villiers said at the OR Tambo International Airport before the team's departure.
The Proteas are set to play a total of eight ODIs and three T20s in New Zealand and Australia.
With the South Africans having beaten their opponents twice in three matches in Zimbabwe last month, De Villiers said they were prepared for a backlash away from home.
"We're a little bit inexperienced when it comes to touring over there with big crowds, they get quite involved.
"I got no doubt we have the skill, the talent in this team to beat any side."
De Villiers felt South Africa could definitely win the five match series in Australia in November, especially since the team proved to be the better side between the two in the Triangular Series.
"We can definitely win the series. We showed that now against them, I believe we got a bit of an edge over them," he said.
"Not going to make any silly statements but we played the better cricket in Zimbabwe, that's why we beat them so we'll try and stick to the same kind of basics, respecting the fact we are away from home and respecting the fact we are playing a team with really good momentum and confidence at the moment."
Before squaring off against Australia, the Proteas face New Zealand in a three match ODI series beginning next week.
De Villiers believed the Black Caps are not a side to be underestimated, amid a view that their sum was greater than their parts.
"I don't think they're a bits and pieces cricket team anymore. They [New Zealand] definitely too competitive and too good a team too be labelled as that, even though a lot of people have done so in the past," he said.
"We know the kind of threats they bring to the party and we are well aware of most of them so hopefully win that series there and get some good confidence behind us."
Beyond the fringe players in the squad itself, De Villiers said there was also still a chance players who performed in the domestic One Day Cup could force their way into the reckoning ahead of next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
"I can't see five to seven changes but there is certainly a spot or two up for grabs.
"Nothing against the 15 here, I have full faith in them, there's always an opportunity to put your hands up and to show what you're made of."
On the injury front, Ryan McLaren and David Miller were both expected to available for selection as they had recovered from their respective injuries, while Wayne Parnell would be monitored in New Zealand to ascertain his availability.
