Johannesburg, Feb. 24: Former South African middle order bat Daryll Cullinan is on top of the world these days, as for the first time in years, a South African team is entering a Test series against Australia without fear.

"Ultimately it comes down to the belief they have that they can compete," The Age quoted him as telling the cricket web site Cricinfo.

Melbourne, Dec. 14 : Former South African star Daryll Cullinan says Australia ''should still be favoured to beat South Africa in the forthcoming home series.

Cullinan has predicted that Proteas will lose its seventh consecutive series to Australia - even in the absence of his nemesis, Shane Warne.

Cullinan said that even without Warne''s wizardry - and despite coming off a 2-0 series defeat in India - Australia remained cricket''s world leader.

"I think they''re a highly competitive side and at home they''re going to be tough to beat. They''re still right up there as world champions. Australia is still the team that everyone wants to beat, whether you play them at home or away," Fox Sports quoted him, as saying.