Gibbs runs the rule over Proteas' tour Down Under: 'I can't see us winning, let alone drawing'

Former Proteas star Herschelle Gibbs reckons the Proteas will find the going tough on their upcoming Test tour to Australia.

The Proteas head Down Under for a three-match Test series over the festive season, with the first Test starting from 17 December in Brisbane.

It'll be the first assignment for interim Proteas coach Malibongwe Maketa after Mark Boucher stepped down following last month's T20 World Cup in Australia.

The Proteas depart for Australia on Thursday with a 16-man squad led by Proteas skipper Dean Elgar.

Proteas Test squad:

Dean Elgar (captain, Titans), Temba Bavuma (Lions), Gerald Coetzee (Knights), Theunis de Bruyn (Titans), Sarel Erwee (Dolphins), Simon Harmer (Titans), Marco Jansen (Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Kagiso Rabada (Lions), Glenton Stuurman (Warriors), Rassie van der Dussen (Lions), Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper, Western Province), Khaya Zondo (Dolphins)

The Proteas suffered a 2-1 Test series defeat against England in September and will have to contend with an in-form Australian attack next month.

Gibbs, who played 90 Tests and scored 6 167 Test runs for South Africa, reckons Elgar's men won't even be able to salvage a draw.

"Look, I mean, you know career stats as far as the batters are concerned... I think you know you can hype them up as much as you want to," said Gibbs on the sidelines of the Gary and Vivienne Player Invitational.

"We've got a wonderful bowling attack, but in order to win Test matches or a Test series, you need runs on the board. Can we do that? Our batters average less than 40...

"You compare them [with Australia]. I can't see us winning, let alone drawing [the Test series]."

Only two SA batters have