The Wallabies will hope they can seize an opportunity to make history and, at the same time, confirm they are making progress when they face a wounded South Africa in Saturday's crucial Tri-Nations Test in Durban.

The Australians are hungry for a first win on South African soil in eight years and desperate to prove their 39-10 loss to the All Blacks three weeks ago - their first in six Tests under Robbie Deans - was an anomaly.

A win would also give the Wallabies a realistic shot at winning the Tri-Nations title for the first time since 2001, but on Friday it was the bigger picture on the mind of skipper Stirling Mortlock, the only current Wallaby to have tasted victory in the Republic.

"I think it's pretty important for this crew as far as looking to take a step up or a step forward," said Mortlock, who booted a sideline penalty goal to ensure the Wallabies' last win in South Africa, also in Durban in 2000.

"So far throughout the season I think we have made progression and improved.

"Obviously we were pretty disappointed as a group how we went in Auckland so for us it's a good opportunity to prove to ourselves and obviously to everyone else that we have taken a step forward.

"I'm very hopeful we can show that we can do that."

Unlike Mortlock, eight members of Australia's 22 - Peter Hynes, Berrick Barnes, Sam Cordingley, James Horwill, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Hugh McMeniman, Timana Tahu and Ryan Cross - haven't lived through recent history in the rainbow nation and will play their first Tests on South African soil at ABSA Stadium.

"I think that's a good thing, there's a lot less baggage amongst this crew at the moment," Mortlock said.

"We possibly saw that in our first match against the All Blacks (a 34-19 win) a while back and hopefully we can see that over the next few matches."

Australia have tried all kinds of weird and wonderful approaches to overcoming the 14-hour flight, the jetlag and the hostile crowds that have contributed to their poor record in the Republic.

Mortlock said this time Deans had the side more relaxed and able to turn on the intensity when it is needed.

"You can just tell everyone's very responsive," Mortlock said.

"When someone's talking you're getting a lot of eyes directed straight at you and intensity as far as contests at training.

"That's a good thing and (we've) just (got) the positive mindset to ... put ourselves under as much pressure as you can at training and to execute under those pressures."

The Wallabies will face a Springboks side struggling to build on its Rugby World Cup win last year and stinging after a loss in Perth and being held scoreless in last Saturday's loss to the All Blacks.

"They're a side that have the world champion tag so there's still an underlying confidence with that," Mortlock said.

"It wasn't too long back when they secured that amazing (32-30) victory in Dunedin.

"I think South Africa are an extremely proud nation and especially at home. We are expecting a significant battle in front of us on Saturday."

But the skipper said Australia feel more at home in Durban, where the temperature is expected to reach 28 degrees on Saturday, than at other grounds in the Republic.

"When you play at even Newlands and especially at Jo'burg and Pretoria, those venues they're on top of you and it's like a cauldron and the crowd can be at times quite hostile," he said.

"Whereas at Kings Park (ABSA Stadium) there's still a massive crowd ... but they don't feel as though they're suffocating you."

Part of history eight years ago, Mortlock has his eye on creating more.

"It was a long time ago and I've got great memories about that whole trip, that whole era really," he said.

"So now it's hopefully time to implant some new ones."

Australia's casualty ward of Rocky Elsom, James Horwill (both foot injuries) and Cordingley (food poisoning) all got through Friday's training session and are in no doubt.

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