Wallabies legend David Campese believes Australia’s record on foreign soil is a genuine concern and must be improved with a win over South Africa this weekend.
Australia won only one match on their European tour last year, and have not tasted sucess in South Africa since 2000.
Furthermore, no Wallabies side has won in Johannesburg in over four decades and Campese believes that is the major hurdle the side must overcome on Saturday against the Springboks.
"The real worry for Australian coach John Connolly is the side’s ongoing inability to win a big game away from home," Campese said.
"Add to that the fact it is being played at Ellis Park, the Boks’ spiritual home and their favourite ground since winning the World Cup there in 1995."
However, Campese believes the Wallabies should fancy their chances, particularly if they exploit South African weaknesses in their kicking game and in the back three.
"If the Wallabies are to end their long-running failures at altitude there are a couple of areas they need to get right [on Saturday night]," he said.
"Obviously the scrum and line-out need to aim up. But their kicking also has to be spot on. There is a definite weakness in the South African back three in that none of them are recognised kickers.
"If the Wallabies can pin them inside their own half, the Boks will have to run it back or concede they are not going to gain a lot of ground through use of the boot.
"The other advantage I think the Wallabies have is in the back row. The Boks are big but they lack the speed to the breakdown that Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom and, later in the game, George Smith will provide for the Wallabies."
