Sydney (Reuters)
Australian captain Steve Waugh, fresh from proving his fitness following months of injury problems, says the series against South Africa starting next month will decide which team can call itself the world's best.

"Playing South Africa is obviously our biggest challenge," Waugh said after playing in a club game following calf muscle problems.

Waugh, who is determined to lead Australia against New Zealand prior to the arrival of the South Africans, made 84 for Sydney club side Bankstown on Saturday in his first competitive match since the Ashes ended in August.

Quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, Waugh said of South Africa: "If we can beat them over the course of the next six Tests, home and away, people will definitely say we are the No. 1 side."

Australia are ranked first in the world just ahead of South Africa but Waugh added: "At the moment the South Africans probably think their side is No. 1 and we think we are No. 1.

"The jury is still out."

Australia first have to deal with New Zealand in a three-Test series starting at Brisbane on November 8, but Waugh said his side would not be complacent.

They then host South Africa for three Tests in December and January, before a return series in February and March.

Waugh said the South Africans, led by allrounder Shaun Pollock, were an extremely disciplined side and that Pollock ranked alongside Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath as an outstanding, world-class player.

"If you are going to beat them, you are not going to beat them convincingly," Waugh said.

"You'll have to wear them down. They play a tough brand of cricket and don't give much away. It's a big series in that regard and we are looking forward to it."

Australia's world-record winning-streak of 16 matches came to an end with their 2-1 series loss in India in March, but they got back on course with a 4-1 win in England - Australia's seventh successive Ashes series triumph.

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