Australian captain Michael Clarke has said that they will face their real challenge in the remaining Tests against South Africa as they are aware that the hosts are not a team to take their defeat lightly.
Although Clarke is pleased at the fact that they have managed to win a Test away from home after almost two years and ten Tests, he is also aware that South Africa has been the exception to the rule for which they have been the number one team in the world for the past four years.
According to News.com.au, Clarke said that South Africa has not lost an away series for eight years, adding that it is the type of record they must aspire to if they are to achieve their goal of topping the rankings.
Clarke mentioned that the fact that the hosts lost just a Test away in almost four years is a telling pointer to what Australia is facing in the remaining tour.
Clarke further said that even though South Africa was soundly beaten by Pakistan in the UAE four months ago, they bounced back to claim the second Test by an innings and level the two-match series, adding that Australia is expecting a similar response from the hosts when the second Test begins at Port Elizabeth.
Stating that they have to lift their game to match South Africa's defence, Clarke also said that South Africa is a proud team with an outstanding record who will not want to lose their first series at home in five years, for which Australia will have to do 'all over again' for the next five days.
