When it comes to the Wallabies, out of sight is out of mind for former Test lock Dan Vickerman.

The South African-born 29-year-old was a pillar of the Wallabies pack before turning his back on a 50-plus Test career earlier this year to study at Cambridge University.

For a brief time only the books have taken a back seat to rugby once more as Vickerman turns his attention to Thursday's annual Varsity match against Oxford.

Cambridge have won the past three and a crowd of about 35,000 is expected to watch the 127th encounter at Twickenham, which will feature four other internationals.

Former All Blacks hooker Anton Oliver will turn out for Oxford, along with Canadian flanker Stan McKeen.

Cambridge will field former New Zealand centre Mark Ranby and United States scrum-half Doug Rowe.

"I'm looking forward to it - there's so much history and tradition that goes with playing for Cambridge University," Vickerman said.

"It's a fantastic group, they've made me feel very welcome."

But even this match is not enough for Vickerman to consider a rugby comeback, yet, and the Wallabies 2011 World Cup campaign in New Zealand seems a long way away.

"I don't know, you never say never to anything, but at the end of the day, out of sight is out of mind," said Vickerman.

He is focussed on an undergraduate degree in land economy, which takes in law and economics subjects, opening the door to a career in property development or urban planning.

"I'm fully committed to Cambridge and doing the study and enjoying it and being part of it.

"There's a lot of new guys coming through (Australian rugby) so you don't know if you're going to be needed."

"There's a lot of things to happen between now and then (2011).

"I suppose when that arises I'll think about it and I dare say by then I'll be too old and there will be no need for an old dinosaur like me to be running around.

"Playing for your country is fantastic, let alone playing in a World Cup. That's in a few years' time. At the moment I'm focusing on the study."

The same goes for European club rugby, with Vickerman's academic work taking priority, especially as it is his first foray into formal study since high school, apart from a correspondence course while he was playing.

"I'm definitely looking at just doing the study," said Vickerman, who has just finished his first term at Cambridge's Hughes Hall.

"It's demanding and challenging and fun at the same time.

"Getting back into the routine and going to classes and fitting the assignments in, all that is taking a bit of time, but I'm slowly starting to figure it out.

"I'm enjoying it, but there's a lot more work to be done ... the opportunity is too good to give up. Being able to study at Cambridge is a once in a lifetime opportunity."

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