Australia and South Africa will have their final hit-outs on Sunday for the Boxing Day Test with both sides anxious to take the field at the new-look MCG stadium.

A crowd of 70,000 is expected for the opening day on Monday.

"It's quite amazing being out in the middle there," Australia's top paceman Glenn McGrath said.

"I can only imagine what it will be like with a capacity crowd. Last year when they still hadn't finished the stand it was a bit of a strange feeling bowling at the MCG.

"Now with the stand completed it will be something pretty awesome."

Australia has scheduled an optional training session at the MCG on Sunday morning followed by a Christmas lunch with players' families attending at the Crown Palladium Ballroom.

The South Africans will have a full-scale training session with all-rounder Justin Kemp struggling to overcome a shoulder injury and leading batsman Jacques Kallis still in some doubt with an elbow injury.

However captain Graeme Smith says he expects Kallis to play after missing the Perth Test with the injury.

"The team is very mature at the moment, very calm and just looking forward to getting started," Smith said.

"The MCG is an awesome occasion for any touring team.

"I don't think we can be better prepared going into the Boxing Day Test match than we are at the moment." Players' families will attend a team Christmas lunch.

The first Test in Perth was a draw. Sydney will host the final Test in the three-match series on January 2-6.

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