PERTH, Australia (Reuters)
South Africa, ranked the second-best team in Test cricket, have arrived in Perth ready to take on the world champions Australia.

Captain Shaun Pollock said South Africa had no mental barrier to overcome, despite Australia's victories in the 1999 World Cup and in their last Test encounters in 1996-97.

Pollock said he was sure Australia would fight back in the third and deciding Test against New Zealand, after the Kiwis scored 534 for nine declared in their first innings.

"I don't think we need to take heart from it but I think we've got a side that's playing good cricket at the moment," Pollock said at a news conference on Sunday.

"We believe we can be very competitive and give Australia a good go. We believe that we've got a side that's good enough to do the job.

"We know what to expect, we know what they will be like," added Pollock, describing Australian bowlers Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath as proven matchwinners.

South Africa beat India in a Test series in South Africa last month, winning one of the first two Tests with the other drawn, before the third match was declared unofficial in a controversy that had threatened to split world cricket.

Pollock said the team had kept their focus on the field.

"It was just another game which wasn't classed as an official Test and that was just good preparation (for the Australia tour)," Pollock said.

"There is always going to be politics involved in any administration ... I don't think it's going to influence the game that much.

"As players, we just get on with it and concentrate on our jobs."

Pollock added that a high quality series between the two leading teams in the game would be good for cricket.

South Africa promoted left-arm spinner Claude Henderson to their squad of 15 after spinner Nicky Boje was ruled out because of injury.

Veteran fast bowler Allan Donald, who did not play in the home series against India, has made the journey at 35 because of his desire to beat his old adversaries.

South Africa open their Australia tour with a one-day game against a Chairman's XI at Lilac Hill on Wednesday, followed by a four-day tour match against Western Australia starting on Friday.

The Test series starts at Adelaide on December 14, followed by the second Test at Melbourne from December 26 to 30 and the final Test at Sydney from January 2 to 6.

Australia will host South Africa and New Zealand for a triangular limited overs series, before Australia fly to South Africa in February for a three-Test tour.

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