Matthew Wade says he’s ready to “dig in” against the powerful South Africans after Australian selectors gave him the nod to play his first Test match at home.

The tough 24-year-old from Hobart reckons playing against the No.1-ranked Proteas in next month’s Gabba Test is going to be a huge step up from his debut series in the baggy green in the West Indies in April.

Cricket Australia on Monday named Wade in a 12-man squad for the first Test on November 9 ahead of 43-Test veteran Brad Haddin.

The 35-year-old Haddin, who missed the West Indies series for family reasons, has been overlooked although CA chairman of selectors John Inverarity has told Haddin he’s still on the radar if Wade suffers an injury.

Wade was rested by Victoria for Sunday’s one-dayer against Tasmania at the MCG because of a knock to the thumb but says he’s fit to play.

Inverarity said all five selectors — including Test skipper Michael Clarke who’s a close friend of Haddin’s — had voted for Wade.

Wade made the most of his initial break by scoring the only century by an Australia player in the West Indies series in the third Test in Dominica.

He says the build-up to a home series is set to be an eye-opening experience.

“Being in the West Indies, you are miles away from home,” Wade told reporters on Monday.

“You don’t get the build-up like this.

“It feels good. It feels a lot different though.

“I’ve got no idea because I haven’t played a home Test match.

“There’s a huge expectation for a home series.

“There’s a lot more pressure on you.”

Wade beat testicular cancer as a 16-year-old then left his home state to seek a first-class cricket career with Victoria.

He says he likes a challenge and he’ll get plenty of that from South Africa’s pace attack led by Dale Steyn.

“That’s when I play my best, when conditions are quite difficult and I have to dig in to start with and then I find a way to hit back at them,” Wade said.

“I’m going to have to do that a little bit this summer with their line-up.”