Both australopithecines and Homo sapiens are part of the tribe Hominini , but recent data has brought into doubt the position of A. africanus as a direct ancestor of modern humans ; it may well have been a cousin . Both Australopithecines and Homo sapiens are part of the tribe Hominini . Recent data suggests Australopithecines were a diverse group and that A. africanus may not be a direct ancestor of modern humans .