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Cape Town - Former Wallabies wing Clyde Rathbone has paid tribute to his friend and team-mate, Dan Vickerman.
The international rugby community was rocked this past weekend with the news that Vickerman had passed away at his home in Sydney.
He was just 37.
Rathbone and Vickerman were both born in South Africa before making permanent moves to Australia in their early 20s.
Writing on the Roar website, Rathbone paid tribute to Vickerman with some touching words in a piece in which he credits Vickerman for convincing him to move to Australia.
"Vicks was never one to mince his words and I knew his refusal to sugarcoat any aspect of immigrating had my best interests at heart. He was that sort of guy and I soon learned to trust him implicitly," Rathbone wrote.
Rathbone suggested that he and Vickerman had remained close throughout their international careers and beyond.
"Vicks is gone now and there will be no more calls to pick that massive brain in that massive head. What remains is a vast and inextinguishable collage of memories. Memories of a great man gone too soon.
"Daniel Vickerman had a rich life. He experienced incredible triumphs, painful defeats, all in-between. He sought adventure, embraced challenges, and maintained a rare blend of integrity and humility throughout. He loved, and was loved by a great many people.
"He will not be forgotten.
"Here’s to you Vicks."
In 2012, Rathbone had opened up on his own battles with depression that he had to contend with throughout his professional career.
