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After 61 Tests and nine years as a Wallaby, Dan Vickerman is expecting to again be sledged as a turncoat by his former countrymen.
South-African-born lock Vickerman will line up against the Springboks for the first time in three years after gaining a tight selection call over Nathan Sharpe for Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Wellington.
His selection to play beside Australian skipper James Horwill surprised the South Africans who rate Sharpe’s lineout ability highly and the 32-year-old admitted he was fortunate.
Fellow Test veteran Sharpe starred in the two easy pool wins over Russia and United States and had a storming game in the last meeting with the Springboks, a 14-9 win in Durban.
Coach Robbie Deans’ call leaves 33-year-old Sharpe desperately hoping for victory, and the chance to play in an Auckland semi-final, so he’s not stranded on 99 Tests.
While Springbok veteran Victor Matfield rates Sharpe among his leading rivals, Deans has preferred Vickerman’s steely physicality and mongrel.
“I’m pretty fortunate and I think I’ve had a pretty fortunate year to date so I’m ecstatic to be playing on the weekend,” Vickerman said.
“Sharpey has been a big performer over a number of years and he will still have a big impact on the game (off the bench).”
Vickerman downplayed the extra significance of meeting his birth nation but his response showed it would certainly add an extra edge to a “special” experience.
“Any Test is special, I will leave it at that – we’ve got a World Cup quarter-final,” he said.
But he was braced for more verbal taunts for turning his back on South Africa at 19.
“I don’t think it will be too much different from what I have experienced in the past,” he said.
“If there is sledging that is involved there then so be it, that’s all part of it and it adds to the spice and excitement of the game.”
While Vickerman basically earned his spot in Australia’s strongest team with his aggressive display in the Tri Nations-deciding win over New Zealand in Brisbane, the Boks still expected Sharpe.
“The Australia lineout functions really well with Nathan there,” said forwards coach Gary Gold.
“He’s a wise old head and he knows what he’s doing at lineout time and he’s the one guy that Victor has gone out publicly and said they have a fierce contest at lineout time.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.