Sydney - Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has implored his players to harden up so they are not overwhelmed by the physically intimidating Springboks when they meet in Cape Town next week.

The Wallabies assembled in Sydney on Tuesday for a three-day training camp before travelling to South Africa on Friday for a Tri Nations Test against the undisputed best team in world rugby.

Deans was soon warning his squad that if they shirk the issue up front at Newlands they could easily suffer a greater embarrassment than at Eden Park 11 days ago, when they were overrun by a fair to middling All Blacks line-up.

As evidenced by the Springboks’ accomplished forward effort against the All Blacks in Bloemfontein last Saturday, where they won 28-19, the Wallabies will experience an appreciable step up from Auckland, and if they fail to deliver the Boks could humiliate them.

The Wallabies know all about that, as evidenced last year when, after winning in Durban, they wasted the moment of beating the Springboks for the first time on South African soil for eight years. A week later they were thrashed by 45 points in Johannesburg.

South Africa now look even more formidable, having enjoyed a series win over the British and Irish Lions and then dominating the All Blacks early in Bloemfontein and keeping them at bay.

Deans said on Tuesday there was no doubt the Springboks were No.1 in world rugby and that their ‘‘physicality’’ effectively threatened and distracted opponents.

‘‘They are a very good side, and have been that for awhile,’’ he said. ‘‘They just exude that belief.

‘‘They have all the elements, and that first 30 minutes [of the All Black Test] was pretty impressive. The All Blacks did well to keep themselves in the game, and obviously it has never been easy to get results in South Africa.’’

In the end, it all revolves around using similar force.

‘‘If you don’t accept the physical challenge, then there won’t be a lot to feed off,’’ Deans said. ‘‘So that’s one area where we are going to have to step up essentially. Otherwise it doesn’t matter what plans you have in mind because they won’t come to much.’’

Asked if the breakdown represented his Wallaby pack’s most difficult challenge so far this season, Deans replied: ‘‘That would be fair.’’

‘‘When you look at the physicality of the South Africans they fair hurtle into that area.’’

Whether that prompts Deans to make changes to his forward contingent is debatable. When he announces his 24-man squad today to tour South Africa, he is most likely to select the same 22 who went to Auckland, with the additions of winger Peter Hynes and prop Pek Cowan.