Johannesburg, Feb. 25: South Africa captain Graeme Smith said on Wednesday his team will be seeking to follow up their recent series win in Australia with a home triumph that will represent a "comprehensive beating" for the current world champions.

Speaking on the eve of the first Test which starts at the Wanderers Stadium on Thursday, Smith said his players were "relaxed and focused" ahead of the most eagerly anticipated series in South Africa since the country returned to international cricket in 1991.

"We’ve got a lot of confidence out of (winning in) Australia but there’s definitely a feeling of feet on the ground and wanting to achieve more," he said.

Smith said the series win in Australia was something that "no-one can take away from you" but there had not been much time to savour the triumph.

"It’s a quick turnaround and we’ve got to hit the ground running. We’d like to keep taking those big strides forward.

"If we can beat them at home that will be a comprehensive beating of Australia home and away and that’s something we really want to achieve."

With the possibility of bowler-friendly conditions following recent rain, Smith said it would not necessarily be an equalising factor for Australia’s all-pace attack. "We’ve had different reports (about the weather) so we’re just focusing on playing good cricket. If it does fly around it puts pressure on bowlers to make it count.

"They’ve got some good pace and their guys are probably relishing better bowling conditions than they had in Australia."

Australia are likely to field two new caps among their top six batsmen in Phil Hughes and Marcus North but Smith said his bowlers were well prepared.

Australia meanwhile named a squad of 12 for the match, leaving out the only two specialist spinners in their party, Bryce McGain and Nathan Hauritz.

— AFP