JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) — South Africa intend to see how India fare against a barrage of fast balls on juicy pitches from and put under scrutiny India’s rise to the top of the world Test cricket rankings.

India climbed to No 1 thanks to spinning out opponents, and for nearly two-and-a-half years they have gone undefeated in their last nine series, winning seven. However, only one of those victories — against New Zealand in 2009 — was outside the subcontinent and away from India’s favoured slow, turning and mainly batter-friendly pitches.

If the South Africans’ plans come to fruition, the only slow turn the Indians will see in the next three weeks is the minute hand on their watches.

For the hosts expect seaming pitches in Centurion, Durban and Cape Town.

“We are not going to give them turning tracks here, that’s not going to happen,” South Africa coach, Corrie van Zyl said, smiling. “We are hopefully going to play on wickets that’s going to benefit our style of play. There has been a lot of talk about pace and bounce, and that is what we would like to see from our South African wickets.

“On the short stuff, it is part of Test cricket and will definitely be part of this series. Short stuff is good, but it’s important that it’s part of a plan.”

The Proteas back their aggressive pace attack — led by No 1 Test bowler Dale Steyn and the 1.96-metre Morne Morkel — against a formidable India batting line up centred around Sachin Tendulkar and explosive opener Virender Sehwag.

South Africa represent the final frontier for India, who have yet to win a Test series in the fast bowler-friendly conditions in the republic. Since South Africa’s re-admission to international cricket in 1992, they have won all four home series against India. India have played 12 Tests, and only won one.

“It’s not always about history and what you have done in the past or what you have achieved in the past,” India captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni said this week. “It’s always better when it comes to international cricket not to think too much about the stats.

“It’s always the same once you leave the subcontinent, how you are going to face the short stuff. We have performed well outside of the subcontinent… It’s all about adapting to the conditions and, at the same time, what kind of bowlers you are facing and what kind of form they are in.”

India are well placed to deal with any fast bowling onslaught.

The 37-year-old Tendulkar has more Test runs (14,366) and centuries (49) than any other player in cricket history.

A series victory in South Africa would cap one of cricket’s most complete careers.

He leads a batting line up brimming with talent.

There’s the destructive strokeplay of Sehwag, the grit of Rahul Dravid and the sublime ability of VVS Laxman. Gautam Gambhir and Suresh Raina have also contributed outstanding recent performances for India, and Dhoni provides a potent threat down the order.