Farewell to Sharpe from Boks

29 Sep 2012, 1:31 pm   -   Source: AAP
Nathan Sharpe will play his last ever Test in South Africa when he leads the Wallabies in Pretoria. (AAP)

Nathan Sharpe will play his last ever Test in South Africa when he leads the Wallabies in Pretoria. (AAP)

Nathan Sharpe will play his last ever Test in South Africa when he leads the Wallabies in Pretoria, where Australia have never won.

For retiring Wallaby Nathan Sharpe, it's never been about the milestones or the "c" for captain next to his name. It's about the team and representing his country.

Sharpe will play his last ever Test in South Africa when he leads the Wallabies out on to Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, where Australia have never won.

He will also equal former flanker George Smith as the most capped forward with 110 Tests, only behind former skipper George Gregan (139) in the overall tally.

The 34-year-old, playing his second Test as captain in the Rugby Championship after replacing injured Will Genia, said he hadn't considered it was his last hurrah on the high veldt.

"I haven't really thought about it," Sharpe said.

"I've had some tremendous battles over here so it would be fantastic to finish with a win and be the first Australian team to get a win in Pretoria."

Asked if it was extra special being the captain with such an opportunity, Sharpe was quick to reply: "No".

"It's special to play for your country and if we can do the job that will make it an even more special night."

The former Queensland and Western Force lock is obviously a popular skipper, even in enemy territory in South Africa.

Centre Pat McCabe said Sharpe wouldn't want to make the match about him.

"It's a side story that comes with a lot of different Tests," McCabe said.

"Sharpie's obviously someone who the team loves to play under and play for but I don't think it's something that it will be spoken about as a collective."

The two-metre tall captain didn't want to comment about ongoing criticism from injured five-eighth Quade Cooper, who said playing for the Wallabies was "destroying him" and even if picked he would decline.

"I can tell you every other guy in the team is very excited about pulling on the gold jersey," Sharpe said.

"It's Benn Robinson's 50th this match and he revealed a secret that he sniffs his new jumper every time he pulls it on before he plays.

"Every guy's got their own way of showing it but it's certainly very special."

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