Composure, not the threat of a torrential downpour, will be South Africa's biggest ally in their opening Tri-Nations Test against Australia in Sydney on Saturday.

Springbok captain John Smit said on Friday that his team will not be relying on the weather to nullify the Wallabies' major strike weapons - despite the possibility that unseasonable wet weather could have a major influence on the outcome of the match.

Not since 1950 has Sydney endured such torrential rain, which even forced the Boks to take a training session indoors this week.

While Smit admitted the foul conditions may nullify the dancing foot work of Australian wonderkids Kurtley Beale, Digby Ioane, James O'Connor and Quade Cooper, he suggested the solution should be found closer to home.

"The weather will probably play a role here [in Sydney] and all those guys will be hoping for a sunny day tomorrow," Smit told a media scrum.

"They're a huge threat. Those players have a huge amount of X-factor when it comes to how they can use their feet and the kind of magic [they bring], and their line breaks.

"We've seen their stats in Super Rugby and how effective they've been for their franchises.

"But the one way of trying to contain those guys is to make sure that you control the game. When you've got possession of the ball, try and keep it.

"The worst thing for a team playing against players like that is turning the ball over in the wrong place, allowing them to play off the cuff from ball where there's no structured defence.

"So a lot of it will be composure from a team that probably doesn't have as much experience as it has over the years.

“We'll see which team has got an artillery that is suited to this weather.

“I'm hoping it will be an advantage to us but we'll have to see how both team adapt to the conditions.”

One significant weapon in the South African armoury is the boot of flyhalf Morné Steyn, whose reliability as a place kicker could be a key factor in a tight game.

“He's kicked some really crucial goals for us in the last couple of seasons so I'm pretty sure the Wallabies will realise he's a pretty big threat there when it comes to kicking three points,” said Smit.

“I think discipline will be pretty crucial to both sides but when there's kicks that need to go over, he's pretty capable.”

Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom admits "opportunities get narrowed a bit in these conditions" but is confident his side will adapt.

"If it's like it is now, obviously it's not going to be as free-flowing but that's not necessarily a problem," Elsom said.

"And even then, you're talking about perceived strengths. What happens when you get out there can be different."