South Africa look to build on Australia win

CAPE TOWN, (Reuters) – South Africa want to use their recent series win in Australia as a stepping stone to cement their position as the world’s dominant test team and to build something “really special”, captain Graeme Smith said yesterday.

The Proteas, who have not lost an away test series since 2006, won their second consecutive series in Australia after their victory in the third test in Perth. They have a rating of 123 in the test rankings, with England in second place on 117.

South Africa take on New Zealand in a two-test home series in January and Smith said the tests would provide the Proteas the opportunity to build on the momentum from Australia.

“We are enjoying the opportunity to be here. We have worked hard to be here and we knew that Australia would be the big stepping stone for us holding onto number one (ranking),” Smith told a news conference.

“We have given ourselves the opportunity for our home summer to create a bit of a gap between us and the other teams. It is an opportunity to build something really special. The motivation for us will be to beat New Zealand first up,” he added.

South Africa’s success in the test arena has led to some calling the current Proteas team the best ever, but coach Gary Kirsten was quick to play down such suggestions.