Will India end South Africa's nine-year unbeaten 'away' run in Tests?

- World No. 1 Test team South Africa haven't lost a Test series away from home since 2006.

- South Africa are scheduled to play three Twenty20 Internationals, five ODIs and a four-Test series in India on what will be their longest ever sub-continent tour.

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith says he is "nervous" about the Proteas' upcoming tour of India, starting with the first Test in Mohali on November 5.

"I'm a bit nervous. It's a tough tour for us and this is a big season for South African cricket, with the Indian tour and the English tour later this year. This could be the defining period for this team," Smith was quoted as saying by The Times in Johannesburg.

"Four Test matches in India are not going to be easy, especially because it involves a lot of travelling, a lot of people and the conditions are going to spin.

"I'm holding thumbs that everything will go well. If we have a good Indian tour, I think we'll then do very well against the English," said Smith, who led South Africa to two series draws against India in 2008 and 2009."

Smith said the Proteas, who have not lost a Test series away from home since 2006, have no option but seek retention of the mace presented by the International Cricket Council for being the world No. 1 Test team.

"Our record of not losing a Test series away from home since 2006 has been incredible. Hopefully, these guys will keep going and keep doing us proud," Smith said, as he offered some advice to the members of the squad in the three formats of the game that were announced by cricket South Africa on Thursday.

He directed a comment particularly to wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock, who was earlier relegated from the national squad and sent to India with the South Africa 'A' side to hone his skills.

After scoring centuries in three consecutive innings against the India 'A', De Kock impressed the selectors enough for him to be included in both the One-Day International and T20 squads for the India tour.

"It's all about building character. If you're going to have a long career playing at the top of the game, you're going to be able to deal with failure and how to bounce back from disappointment," Smith said.

Before the four-match Test series there are a three-match Twenty20 and a five-game ODI series on what is the Proteas' longest ever sub-continent tour.

The more than two-months' long tour will begin with a 50-over practice game at Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla, followed by three T20 Internationals (October 2, 5 and 8), five ODIs (October 11, 14, 18, 22 and 25) and four Tests to be played in Mohali, Bangalore, Nagpur and Delhi.

In between the visiting South African team will also play a two-day game against Indian Board President's XI in Mumbai on October 30-31.