The Proteas confirmed one change to their side for the deciding third Test in Cape Town from Tuesday, asking quick Gerald Coetzee to be an enforcer at Newlands.
Right-armer Coetzee will play his first Test since 2024 in place of the injured Anrich Nortje (groin) in what will be the Proteas' most important home Test in years.
South Africa claimed their first home series victory over Australia since their early 1990s readmission in 2018, with the tourists falling apart following the ball-tampering scandal at Newlands.
Australia responded with a home 3-0 thrashing of South Africa in 2022-23. That series led to Temba Bavuma taking over as captain, with a period of overwhelming success following for the Proteas.
"There is a massive desire there, especially for the older guys," Bavuma said.
"In the last Test series in Australia, they bullied us in their backyard. They played unbelievable cricket
"There is that motivation for us to right those wrongs. And also to look after our home record.
"There is a lot to it. I don't feel I have to motivate anyone to ensure the result goes our way."
Bavuma suggested on Monday this series had been one of the highest-quality affairs he'd featured in, with the standard of bowling particularly high.
The contest has also been given the climax it deserves, with the first days in Cape Town sold out after poor attendances in Durban and Gqebhera.
South Africa beat Australia in the World Test Championship final last year, and can now take top spot off Cummins' side in the ICC rankings with victory at Newlands.
Going into Tuesday's third Test, Bavuma said he still put greater importance in a Test Championship success than top spot in the ICC rankings.
"I definitely think winning the final (is bigger)," he said.
"There is just a little bit more to it. You go there, are at Lord's, it's a once off game. You have to play at your best. There is a little more to it for the sentimental value.
"The No.1 ranking, there is value in it. It shows you have consistently played well over a period of time."
Meanwhile, South Africa had the option of bringing in the more experienced Dane Paterson or bowling allrounder Corbin Bosch ahead of Coetzee.
But they preferred the 26-year-old's pace, with Nortje having previously been the Proteas' speedster.
"I think he's probably the closest guy in terms of like-for-like for Anrich," Bavuma said of Coetzee.
"In terms of the role Anrich plays in our bowling attack as an enforcer, Gerald does that when he plays.
"We did consider the fact he hasn't played for a while, but he's been with the team getting his workloads in.
"He is a guy we believe has the ability to make a big play for the team."
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