Desperate to end their seven-year, seven-match losing streak in South Africa, the Wallabies arrived in Cape Town feeling strangely bullet-proof ahead of Saturday's eagerly-awaited Tri Nations opener.

So bullet-proof, in fact, the Wallabies touched down after their long-haul flight from Perth and promptly ventured out for a game of ... paintball.

Yes, paintball. It was all part of the grand plan to stay alert on their latest trip to the republic, where winning has become a thing of the past for the Australian rugby team.

Not since Stirling Mortlock slotted an after-the-bell penalty goal in Durban in 2000 have the Wallabies tasted success in South Africa.

It is not just the Wallabies, though, who find winning in Africa difficult.

Even the mighty All Blacks - victors in 21 of their past 22 Tests - have lost their past three matches on the continent.

"The South Africans, one, generally like playing at home a lot more," Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe said.

"I don't think they like to travel as much as other teams do.

"Secondly, when you do get over here, you do have a limited preparation because of the time difference and wot-not.

"Some guys handle the transition a lot better than others, but if you're only here for a week, it's very difficult.

"The other thing is, when you're playing in your own country, you've got a bit of familiarity.

"Here, it's a bit different in terms of other distractions, the time getting here and just getting things done that you normally get done.

"You lose a bit of routine."

And, in the case of 19 of Australia's 25-man squad on this latest visit, the Wallabies have also lost a day's preparation.

The Wallabies usually arrive on the Sunday before a Test, giving them six days to prepare.

But because of Saturday's Test against Fiji, most of the Australians didn't lob in South Africa until lunchtime Monday.

That's why coach John Connolly and his charges headed straight for the hills for paintball.

"Usually we leave from Sydney and this time it was different," Sharpe said.

"And the hardest thing is trying to stay awake in the afternoon.

"So the worst thing you want is guys going into their rooms and falling asleep and then night time comes and they're not tired.

"Playing paintball is a way of keeping everyone awake."

Clearly, the Wallabies have identified a meticulous preparation as a key to beating the Springboks on their home patch.

That's why this time they have also made a conscious decision to steer clear of the city's bright lights.

The lure of the nightclub has proven a major problem for past Australian teams on Cape Town assignments and the Wallabies can do without having to send anyone home this trip.

So the Springboks might well have done Australia a favour this week by booking out the waterfront hotel that the Wallabies normally occupy in Cape Town.

"We're a lot closer to the ground and that also helps us focus," Sharpe said.

"The guys will get a bit more familiar with surroundings.

"We're here, 500 metres from Newlands. We're amongst it and ready to go for the weekend."

Sharpe said while the Tests against Wales and Fiji were for experimenting with combinations, the Wallabies been building for this match with the Springboks since first entering camp in late May.

It is a golden opportunity for the Wallabies to show Australian fans they are very much in Tri Nations and World Cup contention, despite being written off as long-shots.

"We recognise that fact and this game is a huge one for us," Sharpe said.

"For us to beat South Africa at home certainly starts us off in the right direction.

"So, if we can get this game under our belt, we'll be very, very satisfied.

"And, coupled with the fact that the Springboks are playing very, very well, to win would give us enormous confidence.

"But that's the challenge for us that we need to confront and sometimes it's good being rank underdogs. That doesn't phase us.

"We've got confidence as a group and we've got confidence coming over here now that the experimentations are finished.

"We have prepared for this game for longer than just this week."

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