On the eve of a Test series starting here today between South Africa and Australia, two aggressive sides, Bob Woolmer's views will not go down well in some traditionalist quarters.

Some might think his comments provocative and ill-timed, but the South African coach is never afraid to speak his mind. He argues that as long as verbal abuse does not become too personal or vitriolic it can actually stimulate the players.

``I learnt the art of sledging from the Australians and came to enjoy it. It's unfair to ask cricketers to play in front of a crowd of 30,000 with millions watching on television and expect them to show no emotion.''

For Mark Taylor, Australia's captain, the abuse from the tightly-packed Wanderers crowd holds the greater threat. When they last played here three years ago, Shane Warne and Merv Hughes were heavily fined after being provoked by the partisan crowd on a ground which can resemble a bear pit.

Taylor believes that helped Australia to lose the game. ``We've talked about the necessity for keeping our heads. Warne himself raised the subject. He said, 'It's going to get tough: you must just accept it'. They are a tough race here and will say things on the boundary that will hit a bit close to home. They can get very personal.''

Both Taylor and Woolmer agree that the Wanderers crowd will give South Africa a big lift. But the Australian captain considers his side has one overwheleming advantage: battle-hardness.

``We've just come out of a successful series against West Indies and we've beaten the best sides in the world. If you look at South Africa's record they haven't had too many tough series: one Test against West Indies and against Pakistan, the other leading teams.''

South Africa's captain, Hansie Cronje, is prepared to acknowledge that Australia are ``world champions'' and that his side at this stage are just challengers.

But he is determined not to be the warm-up act for the coming Ashes series. ``We aren't going into this series just to give Australia practice for their visit to England,'' he said.

Daryll Cullinan, in particular, will be seeking what he calls ``a score to settle'' with Warne. Three years ago Cullinan went on South Africa's first Test tour of Australia since their re-entry with a glowing reputation. He scored 26 runs in the three Tests, lost his place, and became known as 'Warne's Womble'.

The spinner said afterwards that he had never known such complete control over a batsman. ``I could bowl to him for a living,'' Warne remarked unkindly.

Now Cullinan is back in the South Africa side, widely regarded as the kingpin of the batting. After 25 Tests he is averaging nearly 43 with three centuries and 12 fifties behind him. Woolmer says: ``His mental approach has improved enormously. I think he's as good as any of the top batsmen in the world today technically.''

A more mature Cullinan, now 29, considers he knows how to handle Warne. ``I'm confident I can play him. Using my feet will be important. He certainly isn't going to dominate me in the mind.''

It will be Warne's 50th Test and so far he has taken 229 wickets at under 24. He has been studying video action of Cullinan and says: ``They say he has improved but I saw a couple of things that might help.''

This is likely to be an uncharacteristic Wanderers Test pitch, one soon to be dug up. Much of the wicket's bounce has gone and though Andy Atkinson, the former Edgbaston groundsman, is leaving some grass on, it is expected to play slow and low, which may suit Australia.

South African Breweries are offering record home prize money of R180,000 (#27,500) for the Test series with Australia. The winning team will receive R25,000 per Test and the series winner will pick up R50,000.

PROBABLE TEAMS

South Africa: * W J Cronje, A C Hudson, G Kirsten, D J Cullinan, J N Rhodes, J H Kallis, - D J Richardson, L Klusener, A A Donald, S M Pollock, P R Adams.

Australia: * M A Taylor, M L Hayden, M T G Elliot, M E Waugh, S R Waugh, G S Blewett, M G Bevan, - I A Healy, S K Warne, J N Gillespie, G D McGrath.