Australia's head of selectors Andrew Hilditch believes the Test series against South Africa will be "as tough as it gets".

The world champions completed a 2-0 victory over New Zealand earlier this month but still have a point to prove after their defeat in India in November.

A visit from South Africa is likely to present another stiff challenge for Ricky Ponting's side with Hilditch particularly wary of the Proteas' array of fast bowlers.

"I reckon South Africa is as tough as it gets," Hilditch said at the Adelaide Oval today.

"India was tough because of the conditions and being away and we didn't have a lot of players that had played there so it was tough for all sorts of reasons.

"But as far as our batters are concerned, South Africa has a really good fast bowling attack. We consider this to be a real test of where we are at.

"Their fast bowling attack would be ranked up there with the best in the world so it will be a big test for our players."

Hilditch is confident Australia will be prepared for the first Test, which takes place at the WACA in Perth on December 17, having performed well against the Black Caps on a similar track in Brisbane.

"Brisbane was pretty bouncy and will probably be as bouncy and quick as Perth so I expect them to be ready in those conditions and test their skills against a good fast bowling attack," he said.

While Australia are bracing themselves for an all-out pace assault from the South Africans, Hilditch said it was more likely the home side will take a balanced bowling attack into the first test.

Shane Watson was today included in a squad of 12 after being named instead of Victoria paceman Peter Siddle but former Test opener Hilditch suggested spinner Jason Krejza was in the box seat to get the final bowling position.

"As I always said, our preferred option is to have a specialist spinner in any Test side in nearly all conditions, it's rare not to," he said.

"In Perth last year we thought the wicket would be quicker and bouncier than it was. The likelihood is we'll play a spinner in Perth.

"They bowl pretty well there, the breeze suits them, particularly off-spinners, so it's generally a good place to bowl spin."

Krejza hurt his ankle on the eve of the Adelaide Test against New Zealand and did not play in the clash at the Gabba.

But Hilditch was optimistic he will hit the ground running against South Africa.

"It would be better if he bowled more overs, there's no doubt about that, but the reality is he hadn't bowled a lot in India before he got his chance and he was ready to take it and I'm sure he's been doing the hard work in the background and he'll be ready," he said.