Heyneke Meyer knows the Wallabies represent a step up from the World XV © Getty Images

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Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer says his side can't afford to waste any time on the training paddock ahead of their clash with the Wallabies in Brisbane.

The Springboks touched down in Queensland on Monday evening, giving them a much shorter week of preparation compared to those from recent years. The Rugby World Cup has condensed the Rugby Championship to just three matches per side, while the Springboks will face Argentina in Buenos Aires in one final hit-out before the September showpiece.

Victory over a World XV in Cape Town at the weekend allowed the Springboks to blow out a few cobwebs, particularly since only the Stormers had featured in the Super Rugby playoffs. But Meyer is well aware his side will need to improve dramatically on that 46-10 triumph if they're to repeat their impressive victory over the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium from 2013.

"We've usually travelled to Australia on a bye weekend, giving us one extra day to prepare, but we don't have it this year and we'll have to make sure we hit the ground running on Tuesday," Meyer said upon reaching Australia on Monday.

"We worked on a couple of new things since we got together and the match against the World XV was a good barometer to see where we stand. The challenge this week would be to improve on certain aspects of the game and to fine tune others. We need to make a big step-up against the Wallabies. It will be a very high tempo game and proper Test match rugby against one of the top sides of the world.

"They had two teams in the semi-finals of Super Rugby this year, which probably points to more depth in their structures, but I saw since the day we got together a passion and excitement amongst our players to make our country proud."

The Springboks are without skipper Jean de Villiers who has stayed at home to work on his fitness in the Currie Cup. De Villiers made his return from a serious knee injury in Saturday's win over the World XV but Meyer and the medical team thought it better he remain in South Africa rather than face the Wallabies.