By Mohammed Allie BBC Sport

Bartlett is hoping to prove a point against Australia

South Africa will be hoping to put their recent troubles behind them when they meet Australia in Tuesday's match at London's Loftus Road stadium.

The game may only be a friendly but it will give Bafana-Bafana's newly-appointed coach Stuart Baxter, who starts his job on 1 April, a good idea of the talent at his disposal ahead of the 2006 World Cup and Nations Cup qualifiers which start in June.

In theory, South Africa have an infinitely stronger look than the mainly locally based outfit that plodded along at the Cup of Nations in Tunisia.

The return of Dutch-based goalkeeper Hans Vonk should stabilise the defence which is sure to be kept busy by the talents of Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka, Australia's main marksmen.

While the Socceroos' strike force will have to be closely watched, the Bafana-Bafana midfield could nullify that threat by taking charge of matters in an area where the exciting Steven Pienaar makes a welcome return from injury.

The 21-year old Ajax Amsterdam midfielder, together with Sibusiso Zuma and Delron Buckley, possess a depth of talent and their combination with the likely attacking duo of Shaun Bartlett and Siyabonga Nomvethe holds the key to a possible victory.

Lots of attention will also be focused on Bartlett who hasn't been playing regularly for his English club Charlton Athletic and is hoping to use this game to prove that he still has what it takes to play at international level as well as remind Chalton manager Alan Curbishley of his talent.

The presence of Baxter in the stands should motivate South Africa's players to deliver their best in an effort to be part of his plans.