Australia has No. 1 bowling attack: Clarke

Yet, Australian trips to South Africa have been productive over the last 20 years.

Australia was the last team to beat South Africa in a test series, here in 2009, and has won four and drawn two of its six series in South Africa since 1994.

“I'll imagine they'll be favourites but it doesn't bother us. If you want to write in your article that we're favourites, I don't mind that either,” Clarke told reporters.

The teams play tests at Centurion starting on Feb. 12, Port Elizabeth from Feb. 20 and Cape Town from March 1.

Australia begins with a four-day warm-up game in Potchefstroom next week.