Matfield up for second row rumble
29 Oct 2009
Victor Matfield is preparing for a stern test of his ability when he faces Cheetahs locks Nico Breedt and David de Villiers in the Currie Cup final on Saturday.
Matfield has been a dominant lineout force at Super Rugby and Test level in 2009, and his performances, coupled with those of his long time second row partner, Bakkies Botha, have been central to the Bulls and Springboks’ success.
However, in Breedt and De Villiers, Matfield is bracing for a sustained threat to that dominance. The duo coped well against the Matfield and co in their last meeting at Loftus in September (the Bulls won 30-27), although it has to be noted that Botha was absent through injury.
A repeat performance will put Naka Drotske’s charges in a good position to cause an upset, and Matfield was acutely aware that they would be fiercely determined not to be outdone.
‘Both of them are very good players,’ Matfield told keo.co.za.
‘Nico is a big mate of my. We played together at Toulon, so I’ve seen first hand how good he really is. I think he’s been their star this season. His ball carries have been so strong, and his work rate is very high.
‘David has been impressive for them at the lineouts, and he’ll be difficult to get the better of. But we’re doing everything to prepare for them and hopefully we can put them under pressure.’
The Bulls have played in seven Currie Cup finals and two Super Rugby finals since 2002. In addition, six of their starting 15 are World Cup winners. However, despite the team’s familiarity with the big stage, Matfield insists that complacency is not a factor.
‘It’s easy to keep the guys focussed despite the amount of success they’ve enjoyed in the last couple of years,’ he said.
‘We’re just looking to build on that success. All the guys are desperate to win, and for someone like Bryan [Habana] it means a lot. He came here to win a Currie Cup and he hasn’t yet, of this is an awesome opportunity for him and for us to finish on a high.’
Asked whether the week break had further galvanised the squad, many of who had played without much rest in 2009, Matfield said, ‘It has its benefits and disadvantages.
‘In some ways it would have been nice to have played immediately after the semi-final because we would have taken the momentum from the win against Province into the final.
‘Then again, a lot of the guys have played a lot of rugby this year, and the week off certainly helped refresh the body and mind.
‘So I can’t say precisely which would have been better, we’ll only know after the final whistle on Saturday.’
Coach Frans Ludeke was more certain about the benefits, although he stressed that physical freshness was just one element needed to succeed.
‘You saw it [the benefits] on Monday. The guys were absolutely flying in practice. But we’re not relying on the break or past success for confidence. There must be a desire to be successful on the day,’ he said.
‘We also need character because finals are won through character. It’s important that we stay calm because in the game momentum sways, and when it sways in your favour you need to be ready to take advantage.
‘We back ourselves and our systems and we’re ready to give everything on Saturday.’
By Ryan Vrede
178 Comments
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29 Oct 2009, 14:23 pm
#50 Tisme:
Agreed, to be honest there are a few Sharks fans who make me cringe.
29 Oct 2009, 14:34 pm
#51 Sharksgirl: you’re always cringing…explains a lot!
29 Oct 2009, 14:43 pm
#50 Tisme:boo hoo, cry me a river tisme! Your team is a nutjob village, the biggest one being jaco! Watch for the okes painted guts & nose rings perched on a bakkie outside the stadium vloeking passerbys wearing cheetah tops…
#48 groenie: i support the bokke…
29 Oct 2009, 15:12 pm
#52 Transformation:
I am of a nervous disposition what can I say 
29 Oct 2009, 15:15 pm
#54 Sharksgirl: maybe you need to switch teams lady…
29 Oct 2009, 15:20 pm
#55 Transformation: No never, for my Sins I am loyal to the Sharks! Sharks for life!!!!!
When all is said and done they make us happy more times than not!
29 Oct 2009, 15:24 pm
#56 Sharksgirl: stubborn italian!
…is it unheard if that an inter fan switches to ac?
29 Oct 2009, 15:31 pm
#57 Transformation: Not unless you like swimming in the Po River with a cement block tied to your left leg
And just by the way, although I really like inter, my true team is the other black and white team – Juventus
29 Oct 2009, 15:56 pm
#58 Sharksgirl: HA HA HA HA HA “sleeping with fishes” lmao…the old lady juve! Eish, when last did they kiss the Scudetto?
29 Oct 2009, 16:00 pm
#59 Transformation: Four years ago, but apperently it wasn’t won legaly so it was taken away from them
I deny all allegations, it was just Inter trying to win by default 
29 Oct 2009, 16:10 pm
Transvaal won the Super 10 and Currie Cup in 1993, so.. this may be the first time the Super 14 and Currie cup titels can be held by the same team, but not the first time the Super rugby titel and currie cup titel has been held at the same time.
29 Oct 2009, 16:26 pm
PDV got credit for winning the BI Series & the Tri Nations … so why don’t me give credit for Ludeke? The first coach to win both the Super 14 & Curry Cup in 1 year. (they will walk it on Saturday – eventhough i hate the bulls)
29 Oct 2009, 16:32 pm
#60 Sharksgirl: Inter doesn’t need “default” titles, they’ve got the “Special One”…i support any team managed by Jose Mourinho
29 Oct 2009, 17:39 pm
#62 Julius: Think not…. Cheetahs showed enough in the run in to show they will trouble the Bulls
29 Oct 2009, 19:16 pm
BREAKING NEWS
HEINRICH BRUSSOW IS ALMOST CERTAINLY ON WAY TO JOIN SHARKS.
29 Oct 2009, 19:18 pm
I reckon sharks now a centre….prop and lock away from super 14 contention
29 Oct 2009, 19:29 pm
With W Alberts….Brussow….Ludick…Mostert…sharks just need a real 3 and back up class centre and the quest is on….
WP Nel or W \Du Preez perhaps??
These sharks mean business….
29 Oct 2009, 19:34 pm
#67 grant10: Deysel, Alberts, Brussouw would be a formidable loose trio.
Springbok quality across the line.
29 Oct 2009, 19:39 pm
Botes, Kanko, Daniel to Lions ??…..maybe Adi as well ??
29 Oct 2009, 19:50 pm
#69 justrugby: Ok. I’ll take ‘em.
29 Oct 2009, 19:52 pm
#68 SodaJoe: #69 justrugby: Hi okes
Ja…seems deals basically made….Sharks realise they need some serious depth…always felt Brussow was vulnerable….Cheetahs regretfully dont have the bucks…
D M will need to climb in soon….hear rumours about Butch …
29 Oct 2009, 19:52 pm
#68 SodaJoe: Alberts will take some serious weight off Deysel’s shoulders. Botes/Daniel and Kankowski styles simply leave all the heavy lifting to Jean.
Deysel needs to practise his lineout jumping to position himself better to take Juan or Schalk’s place.
29 Oct 2009, 19:53 pm
#70 SodaJoe: so wikus on way as well soda…but only june next year
29 Oct 2009, 19:54 pm
#71 grant10: We don’t need Butch.
Vermaak, Francis is a very good half back pairing. And may well be the making of BF.
But we have so much work to do.
29 Oct 2009, 19:54 pm
#73 grant10: Ag I don’t want him either.
Lions need a new vision a new plan and a new standard.
29 Oct 2009, 19:58 pm
#75 SodaJoe: DM must be seriously in 2 minds…mountain of a challenge soda.
29 Oct 2009, 19:59 pm
wallabies facing everest as well it seems
29 Oct 2009, 20:00 pm
for lions sake i hope Heinke not on a dodgy contract
29 Oct 2009, 20:05 pm
Transformation I also like Morinho he was the reason I started supporting Chelsea. But in Italy my allegiance remains with the old lady
29 Oct 2009, 20:06 pm
#76 grant10: Look at it this way.
Stormers, Sharks, Bulls all set. Naka saved his bacon with CC. Only s14 spot available is Lions. He did it once before with Sharks.
****’s biggest problem is the quality of the back office, an i don’t include Jake in that.
29 Oct 2009, 20:06 pm
Grant is the only man that makes this site still worth coming to.
29 Oct 2009, 20:07 pm
Grant where did u get that bit of exciting news?
29 Oct 2009, 20:10 pm
Alberts has just about signed I am surprised that they will splash out on another loosie.
With all those already mentioned I am surprised that they are prepared to splash out on another lossie, even if it is Popeye !!
Alberts,Daniel, Botes , deysel, Kanko,Botes, Rhodes, Downey, and now also Brussow.
They should be spalshing out on a centre and a lock, need quality in depth in these positions !!
29 Oct 2009, 20:11 pm
I remain a Roseneri supporter and hope they win the champions league. Are all these transfers really on.
29 Oct 2009, 20:18 pm
#81 Wezwp: Why you being nice to me??
Next you call me a nutter again?
#82 Sharksgirl: I have a mate who ‘owns’ a corporate box at the tank….he knows a lot whats going on there…like Ruan saying 9 or he walks…etc….He calls me to chat about rugby and told me deal basically done…he has never been wrong yet…a real serious dude that only says when its a fait accompli….he told me they were in talks about 6 weeks ago…seems its done.
29 Oct 2009, 20:19 pm
#84 Wezwp:
Don’t think AC Milan have the squad to win the CL !!!
29 Oct 2009, 20:20 pm
#83 justrugby: Apparently they are signing a lock and hooker…i reckon they need a world class prop…preferably a 3.
Jannie dup and J Smit slap snoek….they get a mongrel at 3 they back on track…plenty cash there.
29 Oct 2009, 20:22 pm
#87 grant10: Interesting !!
29 Oct 2009, 20:22 pm
I bet Lions come up with a few pleasant surprises over next couple of days as well….
29 Oct 2009, 20:24 pm
#88 justrugby: Brussow is probably the most ‘wanted ‘ property in rugby right now….cheetahs could never compete…and at least now we secured his services in SA….I feel for Cheetahs…but reality was it was always gonna be the case of Sharks or Bulls…who also punted hard by all accounts….
29 Oct 2009, 20:25 pm
Rosso and neri have brilliant players but owned by mafioso who is now PM and about to stand trial for corruption Pirlo and Gatuso my favorites
29 Oct 2009, 20:27 pm
#88 justrugby: check your e mail….
What time is the wallaby…kiwi game sat??
Is it being televised??
29 Oct 2009, 20:29 pm
Maku for Sharks??
29 Oct 2009, 20:29 pm
#90 grant10:
Yeah interesting ……..strange that no Union could recruit Juan Smith from the Cheetah’s, who has been hot property for years now…….I had heard that Popeye was cut from the same cloth !!!!……at the end of the day I suppose everyone has their price ??
29 Oct 2009, 20:34 pm
#94 justrugby:Ja….i never for 1 minute believed Brussow could/ would stay at Cheetahs….he can demand a huge price….and needs to cash in on a wonder season. Bulls were right there….but the sum must have been staggering….
I am not sure if Sharks benefitted from the F Steyn deal perhaps.
For me i am just pleased he is not leaving our shores….
29 Oct 2009, 20:38 pm
would of been the prefect signing for WPand stormers…but HABANA and J Fourie couldnt of come cheap…..
That 10/12 Argie is apparently the next Contemponi….And the Argie tighthead by all accounts a powerhouse….Rassie has been clever….very clever.
29 Oct 2009, 20:39 pm
#91 Sharksgirl: #79 Sharksgirl: sharkster, your husband is a lucky man! Does he like footie?
Are you talking bout berlusconi re rosso & nerri?
As long as jose is still with nerrazzuri, they will keep winning! they have class players in muntari, ballotelli, millito, stanko, julio cesar, an ageing viera…
Girladino has been saving the Old Lady’s bacon lately, i’m not too sure about Iaquinta & Trezeguiet (sp) they blow hot & cold too much…is Del Piero still playing or is he injured?
29 Oct 2009, 20:42 pm
#95 grant10: Must have paid a tidy sum for Hernandez as well ?
29 Oct 2009, 20:45 pm
#92 grant10:
I think kick off at 10, but appears not to be scheduled for screening !!!
Will search further and let you know !!
29 Oct 2009, 20:47 pm
#97 justrugby: Ja…huge….i think Alberts and Ludick would of not been cheap either….Sharks on the warpath…..there 2010 was shaping as a disaster…i reckon they knew it was do or die type stuff required….
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