When they were speared, they had a side better equipped than any other to challenge the West Indies. They had just utterly destroyed an Australian side that was full of quality shortly before their turfing.
Their re-entry into the sport was to make the World Cup semi finals (should have made the final probably), getting within 50 runs of beating the West Indies at Kensington Oval in their first test for 20 years and then winning a series against India.
Given the volume of star players who never even played a test, I think it’s more likely that they would have competed than not
The Saffers flogged Australia in the 1970 tour, no doubt. And a great side, no doubt either
But “An Australian side full of quality”? Questionable for mine.