Nel, the firebrand bowler of the Proteas team, said that if Australian bowlers like leg-spinner Shane Warne can get away with it, then maybe South Africa should follow suit.

"I think they are very, very clever about the way they do things with umpires," Nel told reporters at Sydney Airport on Saturday.

"They put a lot of pressure on the umpires and sometimes it counts in their favour. Maybe we can learn something from them in a certain way by doing this.

"But sometimes they go a bit overboard and it gets a bit annoying, but that's the way they do it and it's working for them," he said.

Nel, who is set to share the new ball with Shaun Pollock in the injury absence of Makhaya Ntini, said South Africa could learn from the much debated appealing style of the Australians.

Warne pushed the line with his aggressive appealing in this week's second Test victory over South Africa in Melbourne but he had not been reported by the umpires, match referee Chris Broad said after the Test.

South African coach Mickey Arthur said Warne was a master at pressuring the umpires but Broad rejected suggestions that he should face disciplinary action for his robust appealing, particularly to rookie Test umpire Asad Rauf of Pakistan.

"If they can get away with it, why can't we try and get away with it too," Nel said. "Maybe we can try and put pressure on umpires, inexperienced umpires, which they do very, very well. Maybe we can learn from them to do that better."

Meanwhile newly-arrived Johan Botha was shielded from the media at the airport.

Off-spinner Botha, 23, who has yet to play a Test, joined the team last Thursday and could partner established spinner Nicky Boje in the third Test on the likely spin-friendly Sydney pitch.

South African officials said they didn't want to subject Botha to undue media pressure.

"He's a surprise package, you've just got to wait and see," Nel said.

Nel also said he was looking forward to opening the fast bowling attack alongside Pollock.

"It's always nice to get the chance with the new ball and to bowl with Polly," Nel said.

"If I can fill the boots Makhaya has filled the last few years, I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Nel said he had taken the new ball alongside Ntini in the West Indies earlier this year, when Pollock was injured for three Tests.

In that time, Nel captured 17 wickets at 17.29 and enjoyed some success with reverse swing, which he learnt during a county stint in England, and that could also come in handy in Sydney.

Renowned for his manic facial expressions in the field, Nel said he was enjoying his interaction with Australian crowds, who were jeering him, but also seeking his autograph.

"I enjoy having a bit of fun with them," Nel said. "You've got to relate to the crowd."