We won't buckle: Wallabies captain Elsom

Reuters

NO RETREAT: Captain Rocky Elsom has vowed the Wallabies will not be intimidated when a stinging South Africa fly into action at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday morning.

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Captain Rocky Elsom has vowed the Wallabies will not be intimidated when a stinging South Africa fly into action at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday morning.

Springboks veteran Victor Matfield has promised the Australians will face a frightening physical assault as the home side searches for a first Tri-Nations victory in 2010.

A crowd of more than 50,000 will pack one of South African rugby's spiritual homes to cheer on Matfield, who will play his 100th test on his home ground.

Asked what kind of storm the Wallabies can expect to run into, Matfield said: "Hopefully a desperate Springboks side that know we need to get back on track, a team's that's not happy with the way we're performing at the moment that really want to get back to that standard that we're used to.

"So hopefully they run into a very hard, physical Bok team tomorrow."

Elsom said the Wallabies, who have never won at Loftus, were ready for the furnace, especially after the Boks came out breathing fire in last weekend's last gasp loss to the All Blacks.

"I don't think intimidated is what the guys will be feeling here," Elsom said on Friday.

"You play good sides when you come here and that's what you're up against.

"They've had a great record here and they obviously enjoy playing here but I think that probably does more for them than it does to us.

"In any Tri-Nations match you've got to come here with everything you've got and put it on display because, with the (number) one, two and three sides in the world, there's very little forgiveness."

The Wallabies have tapered off their training since arriving in Pretoria, which sits at an altitude of 1330 metres, although catching high kicks was definitely on the agenda during Friday's final session.

"I don't think it does anyone any favours training too hard just prior to what's going to be a pretty tough match up here," Elsom said.

"Physically it's going to be pretty demanding so I think we decided to lighten up at the end of the week.

"We've done all the hard work down at sea level (in Cape Town) and we've had a lighter time while we've been up here."

While the Tri-Nations title is gone for both sides, the Mandela Cup, currently held by South Africa, remains up for grabs.

- AAP