First Test: Complete all you need to know guide

The matches

First Test: November 3-7, WACA Ground, Perth (10.30am local, 1.30pm AEDT start)

Second Test: November 12-16, Blundstone Arena, Hobart (10.30am local, AEDT start)

Third Test: November 24-28, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (2.00pm local, 2.30pm AEDT start)

We don't care what scientists or calendars tell us, summer starts on November 3 in Perth! The WACA Ground hosts the first Test of season 2016-17, before the series shifts across the continent to Hobart and concludes with a day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval.

What's gone down since the last Test in Oz?

Well, a fair bit. After the draw in Sydney against the Windies in early January, Steve Smith's men travelled across the Tasman Sea and beat New Zealand 2-0 in Brendon McCullum's international swansong. The series clean sweep vaulted Australia to the top of the ICC world Test team rankings, but unfortunately for Smith and his comrades, they weren't numero uno for very long.

A 3-0 whitewash at the hands of Sri Lanka in July-August re-exposed a weakness against high-quality spin bowling, with wily veteran Rangana Herath taking 28 wickets in the comprehensive thrashing. If it wasn't for Mitchell Starc and his outstanding series haul of 24 wickets, the damage could have been a lot worse even if the scorecard couldn't get any more lopsided.

South Africa have only played two Tests since January, comprising of a draw and win to defeat New Zealand 1-0 on home soil in August. The first Test in Durban was significantly hampered by rain, but the second match in Centurion was dominated by skipper Faf du Plessis' 112no and spearhead Dale Steyn's second-innings haul of 5-33 to deliver the series win.

These two sides have played each other in three separate series already this year, but perhaps the most telling is also the most recent. Just last month Australia toured South Africa and were whitewashed 5-0 for the first time in history. While the teams and formats are extremely different in the Commonwealth Bank Test Series, the Proteas will undoubtedly take a lot of confidence and momentum from that result.

The squads

Australia (first two Tests): Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Joe Mennie, Peter Nevill, Peter Siddle, Mitch Starc, Adam Voges

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Kyle Abbott, Morne Morkel, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Stephen Cook, JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, Quinton de Kock, Keshav Maharaj, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Dane Vilas.

Watch these men

For Australia, Mitchell Starc and David Warner possess an x-factor like few others. Starc didn't feature in the 5-0 drubbing in South Africa – he was set to be rested before a gruesome fielding mishap required 36 stitches in his left leg and sidelined the quick for a couple of weeks. Any doubts about his form and fitness have been put to bed with a successful return to cricket in the preceding Sheffield Shield match in Brisbane and a fiery display of fast bowling in the volatile WACA nets. Warner loves taking on the Proteas, loves the contest and loves the first Test of the summer where's scored five centuries in six innings over the past three years. The vice-captain also scored a career-high 253 against New Zealand in Perth last summer, so if Warner goes well you can be sure those below him in the batting order will follow suit.

South African fans will be hoping Hashim Amla and captain Faf du Plessis can repeat their form from the last time the Proteas toured Australia in 2012. Amla scored two centuries, including 196 at the WACA, and averaged 62.83 four years ago, while du Plessis posted his maiden Test century in a marathon 376-ball innings of 110no to salvage a draw in Adelaide. Speedsters Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada could prove to be the most lethal new-ball duo in world cricket with a dominant series Down Under. Both quicks are capable of hitting speeds in excess of 150kph, although veteran Steyn might need the assistance of a strong breeze to reach those extremes these days. If either one of Steyn or Rabada get on a roll then it could be curtains for Australia's batsmen.

The history

South Africa have never lost a Test match in Perth, drawing once and winning twice. The Proteas are also looking for a historic third successive series win on Australian soil after victories in 2008 and 2012.

Australia haven't lost a Test match or series at home since 2012 when South Africa spoiled Ricky Ponting's final match in the Baggy Green with a win in Perth to clinch the series 1-0.

How to consume this series?

ATTEND: Tickets can be purchased HERE, starting $30 for adults, $10 for kids and $65 for families.

WATCH: Channel Nine's Wide World of Sports, the Cricket Australia Live App or cricket.com.au with a Live Pass.

LISTEN: ABC Grandstand, Maquarie Radio Network and/or Triple M on the CA Live App or cricket.com.au with a Live Pass.

FOLLOW: @CricketAus on Twitter, @cricketcomau on Instagram and Snapchat, Facebook.com/cricketcomau

International cricket is more affordable than ever this summer, with adult tickets from $30, kids from $10 and family packages from $65 across every day of international cricket. Price for purchase at match. Transaction fee from $6.95 applies to online and other purchases. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.