Proteas prepared to get nasty at the WACA

As both teams try to gain the advantage, South African bowler Vernon Philander says the three-Test series against Australia could feature some nasty moments.

South Africa's Vernon Philander predicts the three-Test series against Australia could get nasty. (AAP)

South African allrounder Vernon Philander predicts the three-Test series against Australia could feature some nasty moments as both teams attempt to gain the upper edge.

The 2014 series had featured some heavy sledging, and the mind games have already begun heading into the first Test starting on Thursday at the WACA Ground.

Philander said his bowling unit were prepared to make Australia's batsmen feel uncomfortable on what he hoped would be a juicy WACA deck.