'They can be one of the great Australian teams'

Former gloveman Brad Haddin says there is one key difference between the Australia squad that won in South Africa four years ago and the one about to feature in a four-match series starting next month, and it could be the reason why the current incarnation goes down in history as one of the country's great Test teams.

The key difference is age, says Haddin, but more specifically the point in the respective careers of the core group of players of each side.

An analysis of the average age of the squad that dramatically won 2-1 in 2014 under skipper Michael Clarke and Smith's charges this time around reveals only a gap of 1.3 years, 28.2 in 2018 to 29.5 four years ago. 

But in Clarke's 15-man squad were 36-year-olds Chris Rogers and Haddin, Ryan Harris at 34 and Mitchell Johnson, Shane Watson and the captain, all aged 32. 

Eighteen months after that tour finished with a thrilling victory at Newlands to seal the series and secure the No.1 Test team ranking, all bar Johnson had exited Test cricket following the 2015 Ashes, with the left-armer lasting just two more Tests. 

But Smith's group has just two players older than what Clarke was when he started Australia's last visit to South Africa – 34-year-old Shaun Marsh, who was on that tour in 2014, and wicketkeeper Tim Paine at 33.

The core group of Smith (28), David Warner (31), Mitchell Starc (27), Josh Hazlewood (27), Nathan Lyon (30) and Pat Cummins (24) are in the prime of their careers.

And that's not forgetting the likes of Usman Khawaja (31) and Mitchell Marsh (26), who have also been around the Test setup for a number of years now.

That age spread and prodigious talent is why Haddin, now acting as Australia's fielding coach, believes Smith's team can go down in the history books as one of best sides to wear a Baggy Green.

"The team four years ago, we were all on the way out," Haddin said on Sunday after Australia had their first practice session on tour in Benoni. "This team, they're all really young. 

"They've got a long way to go and they could be together with each other for a long time. 

"The age is the biggest thing here. This group can do some great things. 

"They can be one of the great Australian teams with the ages they are."

With youth comes inexperience, and only six members of the Smith's squad – Smith, Warner, Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Lyon and Cummins – having played a Test on South African soil.

But Haddin brushed off any suggestion that could hinder Australia's chances of maintaining their imperious record in South Africa, a country where they haven't lost a Test series since the Proteas' return to international cricket more than 25 years ago. 

"I'm not too worried about that because (conditions) are so similar to home," Haddin said. 

"We've got a great record over here … it's similar to our conditions. 

"South Africa are always a great challenge over here. 

"They enjoy playing against us here and we enjoy coming here so it will be a good contest.

Haddin added: "There's two pretty proud nations going head to head out there. 

"Both sides have got a great stock of fast bowlers that like to put their presence on the game. 

"And both sides have got some batters that can move the game forward, so it's going to be a contest, no doubt." 

As was the case in 2014, Australia head into the series having thrashed England in the Ashes in the summer just gone.

But if there was any chance Australia would be complacent against the Proteas, Haddin says motivation is not an issue for the visitors.

"Steve (Smith) has had a chat to the group about that, but the one thing that has impressed me about this group is how hungry they are," he said.

"They've done a lot of good things at home but one of the things that Steve wants to do as a team is win away from home. 

"They don't (need) much motivation, this group. 

"They know where they want to get to. 

"Now and then you might have to get them in the right direction but they're a very, very hungry cricket team."

Qantas tour of South Africa

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.

Warm-up match v SA Invitational XI, Sahara Park, Benoni, Feb 22-24

First Test Kingsmead, Durban, March 1-5

Second Test St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, March 9-13

Third Test Newlands, Cape Town, March 22-26

Fourth Test Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3