watch South Africa vs Australia 1st Test live Score

Australian stalwart Mike Hussey will be looking to the newest members of the team to perform key roles if the Aussies are to retain the title of number one Test playing nation with a series win over South Africa.

The first Test, which gets under way in Johannesburg on Thursday, may include up to four Australian debutants with opener Phillip Hughes, leg-spinner Bryce McGain, fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus and all-rounder Marcus North all in contention for a spot in the XI alongside other relative newcomers Peter Siddle (four tests), Andrew McDonald (one) and Doug Bollinger (one).

"They've (new players) got a big role to play in this team," said Hussey. "It's not a case where we're expecting less from the new guys, they're in the Australian cricket team so they're expected to do their job as well as the most senior guys."

The influx of new talent into the national side will no doubt have an effect on team dynamics but Hussey does not believe there will be any on-field 'teething issues'.

"It's more getting to know the guys off the field really, we've all played a lot of cricket, even the new guys have had a few good seasons in first class cricket so they know their game," he said.

"We're just trying to make it as comfortable for them to be around the group as possible to make them feel as though they're definitely good enough to be here and they're definitely part of the team and they've got a big role to play in this team."

Hussey will be looking for an improvement in his own performances - and that of the rest of the top six - in South Africa after the West Australian had a lean summer in the three-Test series against the Proteas on home soil.

Hussey had the first form slump in what has been a remarkable Test career, averaging 17 in six innings, although the 33-year-old did find some form in the recent ODI series against New Zealand, winning man of the series.

"All of the batsmen have their role to play and we all have to do our job, I think that was one of the areas we probably didn't all contribute to in the series in Australia - myself included," he said. "Obviously I didn't score as many runs as I would have liked, but it's going to take a huge team effort to win the series.