Rupert Guinness - Rugby Heaven

Sydney - Facing the likes of Victor Matfield inspires returning Wallaby, lock Dan Vickerman.

GALLERY: Springboks v Wallabies, Bloemfontein

Vickerman will use the prospect of resuming a ''torrid'' history of head-to-head clashes with Victor Matfield as extra motivation for his comeback.

The 204cm Australian second-rower's desire to again test himself against the wily Matfield in the battle of wits and bodies that is the lineout was stoked by watching the Bulls captain play his 100th Test for the Springboks in their 44-31 win over the Wallabies in Pretoria.

As for a place in the Wallabies team, Vickerman knows it must come on merit, not reputation.

And that quest will start when he returns to Sydney next June from England, where he has played and studied at Cambridge University since 2008 - in time to play for the Waratahs in the last two rounds of the Super 15 competition and to try to force his way into the Wallabies.

Vickerman is aware of the challenge he will face after three years out of the professional game, and admits he could be ''a flop'' and fail to return to the level that earned him 54 Test caps.

But the 31-year-old is backing himself, and on Sunday told the Herald during his stay in Sydney that watching seasoned second-rowers such as Matfield, 33, Wallaby Nathan Sharpe, 32, and All Black Brad Thorn, 35, play in the Tri-Nations this year has reassured him that age is not a barrier.

Asked if the possibility of taking on Matfield again was a driving force, Vickerman said: ''One hundred percent. You strive to play the best you possibly can. And to do that you have to play against the best. And he has proved over a number of years that he is one of the best, especially in that aerial contest. You know when you do well against some one of his calibre you've done your job. That opportunity hopefully looming really excites me and inspires me.

''I've had torrid battles against Victor over the years, and it's something you start to enjoy. He's given a lot of locks a hard time. I think he will continue to do so until he pulls up stumps.

''But it's not only Victor. You see 'Sharpie' is playing some great rugby. He is a fantastic player, and I was very lucky to play with him. Hopefully, I get that opportunity again. Brad Thorn is playing some good rugby. A lot gets made of age. But it's is about performing, regardless of age. If you deserve your spot, and the body and mind are willing to do the job, it's irrelevant.''

Vickerman also believes the Springboks, who came from behind to beat the Wallabies in Pretoria, are being unfairly criticised for having too many seasoned players in their ranks.

''I think so. They are good side. They won the 2007 Rugby World Cup. They beat the British and Irish Lions last year. They won Super 14 this year. Then they had a bad few matches,'' he says. ''At the end of the day they are a good side. I can't be too critical of age because I am getting over the hill myself, but some of those guys have the runs on the board. You don't just forget how to play rugby overnight.''