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SOUTH Africa is regarded as one of the most hostile destinations in world rugby, but Australia coach Robbie Deans will embrace that experience in the hope of turning around Australia's shocking record in the republic.
Instead of embarking on the Wallabies' two-Test tour of South Africa with fear and loathing, Deans is hoping his players will carry with them a sense of adventure.
That may explain partly why Deans has been so successful in South Africa with the Crusaders and New Zealand.
"Personally, I think it's a great place to tour," Deans said.
"It's a great country. It's a unique country. It's a rugby destination.
"They are a rugby nation. If you go back 100 years, people say that's the place you test yourself because they are the original rugby nation.
"For a rugby player and coach there is nothing better than that."
The Wallabies face Tests against the Springboks in Durban and Johannesburg in the knowledge that they have not won in South Africa since 2000 when Stirling Mortlock kicked a late penalty goal for a 19-18 win in Durban.
Mortlock is the only player in the squad to taste victory in South Africa, but assistant coaches Jim Williams and Michael Foley were part of that win in 2000.
"That was a great day," Williams said.
"Stirling's boot got us over the line right at the end.
"Hopefully, heading back there ... this is my first time in eight years since I've been back ... we'll get that same kind of luck."
The Wallabies' win against the Springboks in 2000 came during a golden era for the Australian team between 1998 and 2001.
"We had John Eales, Toutai Kefu, George Gregan, Stephen Larkham. It was good to be part of that era," Williams said.
"Talent-wise these guys have the potential to be right up there."
The Wallabies will approach the first Test in Durban in a week in a much more aggressive mood than when they lost 39-10 to the All Blacks in Auckland two weeks ago.
The Australians were beaten at the contact zone in Auckland.
"It was a combination of factors," Williams said.
"They were desperate and probably in areas that were crucial in the game. The breakdown. Looking at the set piece. The lineout.
"They are capable of doing a lot better than what we did."
The expected changes to the Wallabies forward pack - Dan Vickerman in the second row and Hugh McMeniman at blindside flanker - means Australia may actually boast more physicality than the Springboks, who have lost abrasive lock Bakkies Botha to injury.
"To have that physical presence is one of the reasons why we have gone with that squad basically," Williams said.
"It just gives us a much better chance to recycle our ball and retain possession.
"We turned over a lot of ball (in Auckland).
"That made it difficult for us to get any kind of momentum."
The Wallabies have recorded one win against the Springboks this year, 16-9, in Perth.
"The boys performed well against South Africa last time," Williams said.
"It's going to be a different scenario. The kind of intensity we saw in New Zealand is going to be there.
"We have to make sure everyone is on board and understand that we have to have that physical presence early on in the game."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html