Can Australia bounce back in Cape Town?

After the tumultuous events of Sunday it hardly seems possible that South Africa and Australia could provide more entertainment but that is exactly what is in store when the three-Test series begins in Cape Town on Thursday.

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The bookies have not over-reacted, however, as Australia are even money (2.00) to win the first Test, while South Africa are 3/1 (4.00) and the draw is a 15/8 (2.87) chance.

Having lost the Ashes last summer, Australia will be going all out to hold off a resurgent South Africa side who must be still struggling to believe that they chased down 435 to win the final one-day match, and with it the series.

Beatable Aussies
Even before Sunday's victory, the Test series was shaping up to be a classic but now it takes on even bigger proportions with South Africa realising what England discovered last summer; Australia are beatable.

They are even more beatable without the presence of Glenn McGrath, who is staying at home to be with his wife Jane, who has cancer. McGrath is a huge loss for the Aussies, who do not have the control in the field that he offers them with the new ball.

England were superb last summer, but it is worth noting that McGrath, whose participation was restricted by injury, did not play in the two defeats. Brett Lee is bowling as well as he ever has, but the second string bear little comparison to McGrath. He will be missed.

That said, the Aussies do have reinforcements in Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden and Shane Warne. The latter, in particular, is sure to play a massive part in the outcome of the series. Warne has taken 115 wickets in 21 Tests against South Africa, with 46 in his nine Tests on South African soil. Stuart MacGill may also have a part to play.

It all rests on Pollock
As for South Africa, much will depend on whether Shaun Pollock is fit to play after a back strain caused him to miss Sunday's one-day run-fest. His presence is akin to that of McGrath. He may not be the fastest bowler around, but if he plays, South Africa will have control with the new ball.

Pollock has taken 36 wickets in 11 Tests against Australia, but in Cape Town he has taken 46 wickets in 10 Tests. And what makes him so much better than those figures is that he tends to remove the top-order batsmen.

With Jacques Kallis and Makhaya Ntini back, South Africa are at full strength and they should feed off Sunday's win with a good display in Cape Town, where they have won eight and lost just one of their past 10 Tests.

Australia are more resilient than any other side in the world, but whatever they say, Sunday's loss will have hurt and McGrath is a big loss, so South Africa must have a great chance of taking an early lead in the series.

Cambers' Call: South Africa to beat Australia in 1st Test - 3/1 (4.00) with bet365

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.