It is 16 years since Australia lost in a home Test series but South Africa coach Mickey Arthur wants to make history.

The West Indies were the last team to beat Australia Down Under - and going into a three-Test series which starts in Perth on Wednesday, South Africa are the one team in world cricket with the firepower to compare with those of old from the Caribbean.

Arthur and Co arrive on the back of victories in England last summer and then at home to Bangladesh.

But the coach reports there will be no complacency against world-beating opponents who may have slipped a little from the all-conquering era of recent years but will have a point to prove after their defeat in India - before a home success against New Zealand.

"We've got a huge amount of respect for Australia," said Arthur.

"They're still the best team in the world.

"They haven't been beaten in Australia for 16 years, and we really respect them. But by the same token, we're a confident team at the moment - which is very nice. It's a really good place to be.

"We're not letting any outside distractions get to us; we're pretty calm; we're pretty relaxed. This is the most focused and relaxed I've seen this team - which is fantastic."

Arthur has let little slip about the exact make-up of Graeme Smith's team - with left-arm spinner Paul Harris and young left-arm seamer Lonwabe Tsotsobe both still in the frame to complete an attack led by the pace of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.

"I think it will be a gamble not to play a spinner," said Arthur.

Of Tsotsobe, however, he added: "He's still certainly not out of the reckoning for this Test match ... he's come on in leaps and bounds and he may play a role somewhere."

South Africa have injury concerns over wicketkeeper Mark Boucher (ankle) and Steyn (hamstring) - but Arthur is optimistic both will be fit.

Morkel (ankle), Harris (thumb) and Smith - who had an operation on his elbow after the English summer - are all over their problems.

"They've only been really minor niggles," said Arthur.

"I think we've managed them really well over the last couple of weeks.

"We hit the Test match almost 100% ready, so we're very happy with that."

The main selection issue for Ricky Ponting's hosts is whether to pick seam-bowling all-rounder Shane Watson or off-spinner Jason Krejza, in an attack minus the injured Stuart Clark and almost certain to feature his fellow pace bowler Peter Siddle instead.

Krejza appears to be in the box seat - but Watson remains hopeful.

"I've got no idea which direction the selectors are going to go," he admitted.

"I'll just have to wait and see.

"The WACA's been one of my most successful grounds as a batsman and nearly as a bowler as well, so I love playing there.

"I've improved in my bowling over the last six months and I feel I can contribute extremely well to the Australian bowling line-up if I do get an opportunity.

"But the flip side to that is, I'd understand if they do want to play a spinner for the balance it can give the bowling line-up."

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