Mortlock: Durban will suit the Wallabies

A young Stirling Mortlock, with full head of hair, lines up the winning kick against the Boks in Durban in 2000.

The Wallabies Captain Courageous Stirling Mortlock has fond memories of the Absa Stadium in Durban, where the Men of Gold will meet the Springboks at 11pm tonight, AEST time.

Because it was here in 2000 the gutsy outside centre landed a last-minute sideline penalty goal giving the Wallabies a 19-18 Tri-Nations clinching victory. He could have no idea back then that it would be the last time the Wallabies would taste victory on South African soil to date.

Australia's past eight Tests in South Africa have resulted in losses and the Wallabies skipper yesterday recalled the 2000 Test longingly, the Wallabies only Tri Nations win in South Africa in the 13 seasons of the tornament.

Mortlock believes the Durban venue is not as intimidating as other South African stadiums, especially on the highveldt, which could help the Wallabies.

"Playing there at provincial level and with the Wallabies, you know that it is not an as confronting venue," Mortlock explained at the pre-match press conference shortly after the team arrived in Durban.

"When you play, even at [Cape Town's] Newlands, those venues are on top of you, and it's like a cauldron. There, the crowds can at times be quite hostile, whereas at Kings Park, there's still massive South African support, but it doesn't seem as if they are suffocating you."

Another bonus for the team is that eight of the Test 22 have not been scarred by previous Wallaby losses in South Africa: Berrick Barnes, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, James Horwill, Peter Hynes, Hugh McMeniman, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Timana Tahu.

"That's a good thing," Mortlock said. "It means a lot less baggage among this crew. You saw the benefits of that in the first match against the All Blacks (in Sydney) a while back. But ever more importantly the mindset of this team is extremely positive, which is quite different to where we've been.

"The environment is also somewhat more relaxed, and it revolves around backing yourself. So hopefully that will help drive us to get a better result."

Wallabies Head Coach Robbie Deans also saw this freshness as an advantage and was taking a positive slant on the Wallabies past South African failures.

"You could easily point to the fact that Australia haven't won over here for a long period of time," Deans told the media. "But that's not something which is a burden to them. It isn't to this group because they haven't been part of every step along the way.

"This is a unique gathering of players. We're now looking to use that opportunity. The past is not an anchor for us. In fact, it is probably more of a stimulant."

You can watch the match live on Foxsports 1 from 10.30pm (AEST, 8.30pm in WA).