JOHANNESBURG, Feb 25: South Africa captain Graeme Smith said on Wednesday his team will be seeking to follow up their recent series win in Australia with a home triumph that will represent a “comprehensive beating” for the current world champions.

Speaking on the eve of the first Test which starts on Thursday, Smith said his players were “relaxed and focused” ahead of the most eagerly anticipated series in South Africa since the country returned to international cricket in 1991.

“We’ve got a lot of confidence out of [winning in] Australia but there’s definitely a feeling of feet on the ground and wanting to achieve more,” he said.

Australia meanwhile named a squad of 12 for the match, leaving out the only two specialist spinners in their party, Bryce McGain and Nathan Hauritz.

Skipper Ricky Ponting said he had not personally seen the pitch but team-mates had told him it was “soft and tacky” when they saw it on Tuesday.

“Spin bowlers don’t have a very good record here,” he said. “Seam bowlers and particularly swing bowlers have done well.”

Ponting said he was looking forward to leading a young team in an important series.—AFP