Wallabies vice-captain James Slipper says the side is hopeful they can end a Cape Town winning drought in their upcoming Test against the Springboks - but admits New Zealand have pretty much got the Rugby Championship in the bag.
The team flew out of Sydney on Monday for their two-match tour of South Africa and Argentina.
The Australians will line up against the Springboks on Saturday before playing the Pumas on October 4 in Mendoza.
In their last meeting, the Wallabies edged out South Africa 24-23 in an epic showdown in Perth.
Before jetting off, Slipper said the tour was a chance for the Wallabies to regain the momentum they lost after their 51-20 walloping in Auckland last month.
"We're pretty happy with the way we're going but I think ever since that Auckland game we lost a bit of momentum," he said.
"And (the championship) probably is New Zealand's to lose.
"In saying that, they have to do this trip as well. It's one of the tougher trips you can do as a rugby team."
The Australasian sides both have to contend against South Africa's "fiercely" supportive home crowds, Slipper pointed out.
It's a factor that has helped the Springboks dominate in Cape Town and remain undefeated by an Australian team at the Newlands ground in over 20 years.
Slipper said if the Wallabies want to buck the historical trend, they'll have to improve their physicality and defence, particularly with the Springboks' inclusion of veteran Schalk Burger to replace injured Francois Louw.
Slipper said Burger's recall showed the depth of talent in the South African squad - but joked the "world-class" opponent could have a bigger impact off-field.
"I'm sure just another couple of thousand people will turn up just to see Schalk," he said.
But there's more than the Mandela Challenge Plate on the line.
If the Wallabies win on the weekend, they'll rise to world No.2 behind the All Blacks.
That could help silence some of the team's critics, who argue the side has lost some its competitive edge.
"This trip is coming at a good time for us," Slipper said when asked about the commentary.
He said the squad had ambitions to be the best in the world, but knew it would be a long road to next year's World Cup.
"We're under no illusions that there's got to be a lot of hard work."
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