Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says his team will have to step up to the Springboks physically when they clash at Newlands next Saturday.

The Wallabies will travel to South Africa on Thursday and Deans is well aware of the physical challenge the Boks presents. The Springboks proved how tough they would be to beat by overpowering the All Blacks, who a week earlier had trumped Australia in Auckland.

"They [South Africa] are a very good side and they've been that for a while and they just exude that belief," Deans told the AAP.

"Obviously, if you don't accept the physical challenge then there won't be a lot to feed off, so that's one area where we are going to have to step up, essentially.

"Otherwise it doesn't matter what plans you've got in mind, they won't come to much."

Asked if the battle at the breakdown will be the pack's biggest challenge, Deans replied: "Yeah, I think that would be fair.

"When you look at the physicality of the South Africans, they fair hurtle into that area and I think you look at the way the All Blacks struggled in the first 30 [minutes] in that area, the answer would have to be 'yes'."

Meanwhile, Wallabies No.8 Richard Brown will be available for selection for the Springboks Test but Rocky Elsom will not be fit for the Cape Town Test.

"He [Elsom] got some work in over the weekend and hasn't had any setbacks as a result of that work, so he is progressing well. He's at the point now where he can up the ante in terms of the volume and he seems to be responding well to it, Deans said.

"Finally, he's turning the corner, he won't be considered for Cape Town but the signs are pretty good after that."