But instead they found history repeating itself as they lost the first Test of a home series for the third time in the past three seasons to go crashing to a comprehensive 162 runs defeat.
They now have to repeat their recent experiences against India in 2006-07 and the West Indies in 2007-08 when they came from behind to win successive home series 2-1.
Australia's victory was entirely deserved as they outplayed the Proteas over the first three days and, although the home side fought back well on the fourth day, they left themselves with too much to do at the death.
In the words of captain Graeme Smith the Australian first innings total of 466 was way over par and thereafter it was always going to be an uphill battle in the second half of the match. Nevertheless the Proteas' final day performance when they lost eight wickts for 110 runs was extremely disappointing.
Not surprisingly Mitchell Johnson was named man of the match for following his career best unbeaten 96 in the first innings with eight wickets in the match. The left-handed Johnson reminds one a lot of Lance Klusener as an uncomplicated cricketer who hits the ball with a great deal of power and also balls it at high pace.
With the exception of AB de Villiers all of the seven South African specialist batsmen reached double figures but only Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla went on to reach 50 and even they did no go on to the big score that their team needed.
Consequently there was not one partnership that came close to the century mark.
