Cardiff - When Joe van Niekerk traded South Africa for France in 2008, the last thing on his mind was the possibility of adding to his already impressive tally of 51 Test caps.

However, after a season-and-a-half of outstanding performances for his Top 14 club, Toulon, 'Big Joe' - as everyone knows him back in South Africa - is on the verge of his second coming as a Springbok.

Not that the in-form No.8 sees his return to the Bok fold as a 'second coming' - for him it is simply the culmination of a lot of hard work over the past 18 months.

"I've worked incredibly hard over the past 18 months/two years," said Van Niekerk on www.in-site.co.za ahead of this weekend's Test against Wales in Cardiff.

"I've had a few setbacks in my career, and there's been a bit of criticism along the way, but when you get selected for the Boks again - especially after some time away - it makes it all seem worthwhile."

Since leaving South Africa, after the 2008 Tri-Nations, Van Niekerk - and, at the same time, Toulon's form - has been transformed as a player.

Having joined a club on the verge of relegation in the 2008/09, Joe took over the captaincy and helped his team to safety in the Top 14 - winning numerous playing awards in doing so. Then, this past season he guided Toulon to a second-place finish on the Top 14 table - booking them a place in the Heineken Cup in the process.

"I know this might sound clichéd," he said, "but I feel as I've been allowed to live my passion these past few months.

"It's been brilliant, I'm loving my rugby, and I'm very fortunate to be back in the Bok mix - doing something I love, for a team I love even more."

Given his form, and coach Peter de Villiers's long-stated intention to 'trial' some overseas-based Springboks against Wales, Van Niekerk's call-up - along with four other Boks currently based in Europe - was not a complete surprise to those in the know.

But the man himself revealed: "Peter (de Villiers) called me a while ago and told me to keep playing the way I was. I am not sure who showed him footage, or where he got it from, but it was helluva encouraging to get that call.

"I'm lucky that Peter knows me as a player and a person, having coached me at Under-19 level - but I certainly wasn't expecting a place in the team, so it was nice when I got the call to say that I'd made it.

"The greatest thing for me is simply getting another opportunity to play for the Boks - something I never thought I would be able to do when I left SA," added Van Niekerk.

"When you leave South Africa to play abroad, you sort of say to yourself, 'Well, I was lucky to play for the Boks (and even luckier to play 50 Tests)'.

"You think your journey as a Springbok is over when you move abroad... so it's something you leave behind in South Africa. (But) to get this chance again... heck, even if it's just one more game, I don't care... I'll do my best for those 80 minutes and if I get another chance, then even better."

Wales have beaten the Boks just once in their history - back in 1999 - and whilst it would be easy to focus simply on his return to the national side, along perhaps with the other overseas-based players, for Van Niekerk it's all ensuring that South Africa leave Cardiff with a victory and their record intact.

"If I wasn't optimistic (of winning) I wouldn't be playing for my country," said Joe on the official In-Site Athlete Management website.

"There's a good selection mix in this team - we've certainly seen (in the Super 14) the talent that we have in Springbok rugby at the moment.

"There's new guys like Francois Louw and Dewald Potgieter, both of whom I'm really looking forward to playing with in the back row, and some more familiar faces elsewhere. But I think it's very important having John (Smit) in the team - he will ensure that the new guys know what's at stake and lead from the front as has done for so long.

"Of course, there is a lot on the line for everyone, but whether it's your 52nd, 94th or your first Test - you never want to be on the losing side in a Springbok jersey and I think that's why our opposition can never afford to under-estimate us."