PETER DE Villiers is expecting a tougher challenge when his South Africa side come up against Australia in the Tri-Nations on Saturday.

The Springboks currently top the standings following back-to-back victories over New Zealand and another triumph in Cape Town in their final home match of the competition will set them well on the way to their first title since 2004.

However, the Springbok coach knows it will not be easy and he is expecting a feisty performance from the visitors, who lost their only match so far 22-16 to the All Blacks three weeks ago.

“Four tough matches lie ahead of us, three of them on the road,” he said. “The Wallabies play with more structure. They hold on to the ball longer and enjoy playing multiple phases. They have a solid scrum and, with respect to the All Blacks, will be more competitive in the line-outs.”

De Villiers singled out the entire Australia backline and flanker George Smith as a potential threat to his side’s push for victory.

“They also have the genius of Matt Giteau at fly-half and a great midfield pairing of Berrick Barnes, offering the skills of a fly-half at 12, and the battle-hardened veteran Stirling Mortlock, who is no stranger to the tough environment of Tri-Nations rugby,” he continued.

“Their back three are also dangerous with ball in hand. In George Smith they have one of the world’s best exponents of breakdown play and they are sure to test us in this particular area of the game, which has become so vital in recent seasons. We have to build a performance as we did against the All Blacks.”

De Villiers’ team have already had a remarkable 2009 with a 2-1 series victory against the British and Irish Lions in June and July and the wins over New Zealand, but the coach is keen to cap that off with “something remarkable”.

He added: “Beating the All Blacks on consecutive Saturdays is a great achievement in anyone’s book and I am very proud of what this Springbok team has achieved over the past three weeks – both in the preparation and execution of the game plan.

“Each squad member, however, is mindful of the fact that, in the bigger scheme of things, we are yet to achieve the ultimate goal that we have set for ourselves.

“We will only truly have accomplished something remarkable if we are able to go on to secure the Tri-Nations title – and there is still some way to go.”