PORT ELIZABETH, Dec 16: South Africa's batsmen will look to dominate England fast bowler Stephen Harmison in the Test series that starts here on Friday, captain Graeme Smith said on Thursday.

"He (Harmison) is a big confidence bowler and we need to put him on the back foot," Smith told a news conference. "We've worked hard on facing fast bowling in our preparations and we've grown up on pace and bounce. We expect a good challenge in our home conditions."

Harmison is the world's top-ranked fast bowler and will spearhead what is widely regarded as the superior attack of the two. Smith said he expected a "tough, fiery, aggressive" series.

"England have come with a team that plays aggressive cricket. "It's important that we hit them hard and early and put them under pressure," he said. South Africa's young team, ranked sixth in the world, cannot match England, who are second on the ladder, in terms of experience but Smith saw that as an advantage.

"We have a big unknown factor that could squash out the inexperience factor," he said. Smith's England counterpart Michael Vaughan said his team has "mental plans" as part of its arsenal in the Test series.

Vaughan said on Thursday: "In any series there are a few (verbal) battles and a few confrontations. "We've got game plans on all their players and mental plans on a few of their players. The odd bit of verbal might upset some of their players."

Vaughan dismissed comments by Smith that Harmison would come in for special attention from the home side batsmen. "He's the number one bowler in the world and he's got there by bowling sides out," Vaughan said.

"I've said it many times in the past, but Stephen Harmison will bowl an important spell somewhere in the series. He will make an impact." Smith confirmed that left-arm spinner Nicky Boje, who is recovering from thyroid surgery, would withdraw from the squad and that fast bowler Dale Steyn would make his debut.

There was more positive news about all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who was unable to bowl in the Test series in India last month because of a side strain. "It looks as if Jacques will be able to bowl, although we're preparing as if he won't be able to," Smith said.

The pitch being prepared for the match appeared patchy and soft on Thursday morning but Smith seemed unperturbed at the thought of facing England's attack on an under-prepared surface.

"I'm sure it will dry out a lot today, and there is more hot weather forecast for the weekend," he said. "It looks a pretty good Test wicket." Smith, who became captain in 2003 after playing just eight Tests, all at home, established himself at international level by scoring double centuries in the first two Tests of the drawn series in England last year.

He described his tenure as captain so far as a "roller coaster year". Under Smith South Africa have won eight of 20 Tests, drawn six and lost six. But only four of those matches, against the West Indies last season, a series South Africa won 3-0, were played at home.

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