Australia are five days away from one of their best overseas series wins in more than a decade, with a perfect start to a big year on the road beckoning.

Victory over South Africa in the second Test, starting on Sunday, would make them the first touring side to win there in almost seven years, with a match still to play.

It would also rank as one of Australia’s best in the past 12 years, with the 1-0 win in Pakistan across three Tests in 2022 currently topping that list.

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Pakistan were a far better team then than they are now, pushing Australia for 15 days in that series before the visitors’ final-session victory in the third Test in Lahore.

Winning on the road is not easy in Test cricket, and is often viewed as a yardstick of greatness.

Over the past decade, touring teams have won only 28 per cent of away Test series.

Australia have claimed four of 11 in that time, with victories in Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Wests Indies over the past five years.

They have also twice retained the Ashes in England, with those tours marked as a success by returning the urn even while not winning the series outright.

But victory in South Africa would be notable, given the Proteas are ranked No.2 in the world and beat Pat Cummins’ side in the Test Championship final last year.

“I think winning away measures teams, but you’ve got to win as well in your own backyard,” Australia quick Josh Hazlewood said.

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“South African conditions can be similar to Australia. That’s probably why they’ve had so much success in Australia as well.

“And vice-versa over here for us.

“We seem to adapt pretty quickly to what’s over here, and it’s been no different this time around.”

Australia have made no secret of what the next 10 months mean, with Test tours of India and England ahead where they have not won since 2004 and 2001 respectively.

Regaining the World Test Championship in next June’s final at The Oval also remains on the menu, with Australia first and ahead of their next opponents New Zealand and current adversaries South Africa in second and third.

Before this series began, Mitchell Starc compared the potential feat of winning in the three countries to Rory McIlroy claiming a calendar ‘grand slam’ of all four golf majors in a single year.

There is a feeling though that life won’t be as easy for Australia at St George’s Park in Gqeberha as it was in Durban last week.

A similar wicket is expected, but the heavy rain forecast for the first two days could present different challenges.

Pace ace Kagiso Rabada is also set to return for a South Africa after taking 23 wickets at 19.26 against Australia on the last tour in 2018.

They have also axed Tristan Stubbs and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, with Marques Ackerman and Matthew Breetzke to come in and Ryan Rickelton handed the gloves.

Australia look likely to go with the same side as in Durban, with Cameron Green still out injured.

Josh Inglis is fit again after his fractured finger, but would appear unlikely to take the spot of Nic Maddinson or Beau Webster.

Scott Boland also made a strong case for selection after an impressive nets session on Thursday, but that would require a big call on one of the big four bowlers.

“I think he’ll play a part in this series,” Hazlewood said.

“He’ll play a part in the next 12, 18 months. Class act. His record is ridiculous.

“It probably makes it a bit easier on us if we are struggling from time to time to then think Scotty’s there, ready to go.

“It can make those conversations a bit easier and it’s more of a unit and moving forward we can not miss those big chunks.”