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Johannesburg: South Africa fly to Australia on Sunday aiming to consolidate the position of No 1 Test team earned mid-year with a series triumph in England.
The Proteas won an eventful three-Test showdown 2-0 with then England skipper Andrew Strauss retiring after the series and Kevin Pietersen being temporarily banned for texting messages critical of his team-mates to South Africans.
Many of the triumphant South Africans were furious at the Pietersen drama, believing it diluted the media attention they deserved, and they became even angrier when the England batting star alleged he was set up by unnamed Proteas.
But South Africa skipper Graeme Smith says any lingering thoughts of England and Pietersen must be packed away as Tests in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth loom with the first starting on November 9 at the Gabba.
"We knew tours to England and Australia were coming this year and both were going to be tough," Smith said as the squad completed preparations for the trip down under.
"The first hurdle has been overcome and, obviously, we would like to do the same in Australia. We know we have got a quality team that has proved its ability to win away from home, " he added.
"I believe we have earned the right to go there with the mantle of being the No 1 Test team through the way we have played this year," added the South Africa opening batsman", the Proteas skipper said.
Coach Gary Kirsten, who took over his native country after guiding India to victory in the World Cup last year, said the build-up for Australia was much the same as for England.
Smith rates the South African squad among the best to visit Australia, where they triumphed 2-1 three years ago in the last clash between the great sporting rivals.
Then South Africa coach Mickey Arthur now guides Australia, but Smith says he cannot afford to lose any sleep over that fact, lest it affects team preparations.
He added : "batsman-wicketkeeper AB de Villiers had received three weeks of treatment for a back injury and was expected to be ready for the opening Test."
After a three-day warm-up against Australia A in Sydney from November 2, the Brisbane Test begins on November 9, the second at the Adelaide Oval on November 22 and the last on November 30 at the Waca in Perth.
