The Australian skipper Steve Smith expects his batsmen to be given a thorough test of their abilities when they face South Africa’s lethal pace battery in a four-match Test series beginning in March. The Proteas bowlers recently outplayed world number one India 2-1 on lively home tracks earlier this month.

On Tuesday, while talking to the reporters, Smith said, “I’ve seen little bits and pieces of the series against India. I think it’s going to be a really exciting series. Two good pace attacks going at it. Batting’s going to be hard work. They’ve got some good bowlers and we’re going to have to show some good fight and good resilience out in the middle against their quicks, and (Keshav) Maharaj as well, who’s come a long way as a spinner.”

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South Africa’s pace spearhead Dale Steyn is also going through a heel injury and racing against time to be fit for the series opener against Australia. But the last two India Tests proved South Africa have a mighty quartet in Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada and rookie Lungi Ngidi.

Australia’s pace attack was equally as impressive in the 4-0 Ashes triumph against England, and Smith had no doubt that Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins will become hard to face in South Africa.

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Talking about the pitches in South Africa, Steve said, “They could go a couple of different ways with their wickets. For us, it’s just about adapting to whatever they throw at us. I guess the thing with Australia and South Africa is the conditions are probably the two most similar around the world. The wickets are generally pretty similar and the pace and bounce. From that aspect it’s (easier to adjust).”

After the first Test starting on March 1 in Durban, the series moves on to further matches in Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, and Johannesburg.