Cricket Australia's decision to send an under-strength one-day side to South Africa has had lasting consequences, says Proteas' skipper Faf du Plessis.
South Africa arrived in Australia for the three-Test series boosted by a recent ODI series whitewash on home soil.
"The confidence from coming over five-nil has helped us a lot," said du Plessis.
Pace spearheads Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were both rested from the tour in September and October, although Starc would have been unavailable anyway due to injury.
"I think it's important that you (field your best side), even if it's different formats," said du Plessis.
"We certainly came across here with a lot of confidence.
"We did expect a really tough challenge because it's a different team and obviously a full-strength team with two key players in Starc and Hazlewood.
"Certainly, not facing them was much better than facing them."
Du Plessis was speaking after his side again humiliated Australia on home soil with an innings-and-80-run win in Hobart featuring two dismal batting collapses by the home side.
It hands the tourists a 2-0 unassailable lead in the three-Test series, with a day-night fixture in Adelaide next week the only chance for Australia to claw back some dignity.
"(The confidence) will be the same going into that last Test match," du Plessis said.
"We're a confidence team and making sure we do the basics well and if we do that we'll keep pressure on the Australian team."
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