First Test fighters: Proteas haven't always spat the dummy in opening Aussie salvos Down Under

The Proteas have been on the receiving end of famous beatings Down Under, but their first Test showings in Australia have often been dogfights they've seen off.

Ahead of Saturday's Test at the Gabba, here's how the South Africans have fared in opening Tests in Australia since 1993:

1993/94: Melbourne - Match drawn

SA's long-awaited return to cricket's coliseum was the dampest of squibs, with rain preventing a start on Boxing Day until 17:00 and washing out the second day entirely.

Day three was also badly affected by rain, turning days four and five into batting practice for Mark Taylor, who made 170 out of Australia's 342/7 declared.

South Africa responded with 258/3, with Andrew Hudson (64), Kepler Wessels (63*), and Hansie Cronje (71*) also getting more than decent batting practice ahead of what became a memorable Sydney Test won by the tourists.

Australia bounced back to win the third Test in Adelaide to square the series in Allan Border's last Test engagement at home.

1997/98: Melbourne - Match drawn

By the time this series started, the gap between Australia and the rest of the world had grown, but worryingly for them, they'd lost to the West Indies by six wickets on a dodgy surface.

The 1997 Boxing Day Test was played on a far more agreeable pitch, with Ricky Ponting (105, his first ton in Australia) and Steve Waugh (96) steering them to the safety of 309.

SA batted themselves into a standstill, with their 186 coming off 106.5 overs, allowing Australia a healthy lead that they also slowly swelled up to 381.

That still gave them 122 overs to bowl South Africa out, but Jacques Kallis' 101 ensured SA escaped with a draw.

South Africa lost by an innings in Sydney and drew a controversial Adelaide Test that allowed Mark