Captain Graeme Smith believes the current South Africa team is stronger than that which toured Australia in 2005.

The Proteas were beaten 2-0 in that series three years ago but their fortunes have followed an upward trend ever since.

They have not lost a series since Sri Lanka in 2006 and that included home wins over India, Pakistan, New Zealand and West Indies, away success over Pakistan and England, as well as a drawn series in India.

With that record and a strong team behind him, Smith is feeling better prepared for what should be an intriguing battle with the world champions.

"There is a lot more maturity around our group and they have more confidence in their own performance. The whole environment is far more settled, everyone has performed under pressure around the world as well and that does make a big difference," Smith said.

"I'm feeling a lot more settled and I don't feel like I need to do the things I did last time.

"If it does happen, it will be because of things that happen along the way but I'm very comfortable with the team I've got with me and the people around me.

"I'm feeling far more settled as captain and opening batter and I've really enjoyed our tours this year. Each tour has its challenges and for me that comes with the bowlers I'll have to face, but that's exciting."

This tour could represent South Africa's best chance to win a series against Australia since being re-admitted into international cricket, but Smith expects the Aussies to be tough and insists their recent defeat to India was not a sign they are ripe for the picking.

"Australia are finding some different challenges now with the players they have lost, but they are certainly not ready to be taken. They are going to be a huge challenge for anybody, especially outside of the sub-continent where their game is probably best suited to at the moment," he said.

"Whether or not it's our first chance to win a series against them, that will have to be earned by the type of cricket we play and that's what we hope to do."

It will also be the first time South Africa have faced Australia in a Test series since Shane Warne retired, and after tormenting the Proteas for so long Smith is delighted Warne won't be present.

"We all know Warney was an incredible bowler, but the positive attitude, forward thinking and aggression that he brought to the Australian team was huge. His ability to pick up wickets, change the game and get into your psyche makes it nice for us to just see him at a barbecue or something this time around," he said.

Smith has also backed paceman Dale Steyn to shine despite a niggling hamstring injury.

Steyn has emerged as one of the best fast bowlers in world cricket in the past year and, while he did not have as good a time of things in England, Smith is confident the 25-year-old will perform well with the Kookaburra ball in Australia.

"He has got a lot of confidence out of his performances, but it's his first tour here and as much as there's huge expectation around our bowling attack, they are still young and have a lot of learning to do," said Smith.

"We are well aware of that and work every day on developing certain areas of their game.

"A lot of confidence would have been gained out of touring England as it's a similar environment to here. The Kookaburra ball will also make a big difference. It's something they are more accustomed to as we also use it back home."