Two of cricket's great rival nations will engage in what amounts to three extended sparring sessions as they try new combinations during Australia's six-week tour of South Africa which begins Thursday with a Twenty20 international here at Newlands.

There are two Twenty20 games, three one-day internationals and two Tests, which scarcely gives the teams a chance to get to grips with each other, especially as there are likely to be numerous personnel changes for each format.