Celebrating a masterful centurion
26 Aug 2010
RYAN VREDE writes that Victor Matfield is crawling into his 100th Test instead of breaking the tape at speed, but that shouldn’t diminish our appreciation for a national treasure.
Sure, Big Vic’s performances of late, particularly at the lineout, have been ordinary. But remember that we measure him by an extraordinary standard, and do so because he is an extraordinary player. Ordinary for Matfield is exceptional for his competitors.
Matfield has not only mastered lineout play, he has evolved it to the point of transfiguration. The rugby landscape is littered with artists in No 5 jerseys. Matfield stands alone as a scientist, one whose mere presence has reduced even the most sure-handed hookers to something resembling tanked-up darts players. He is the benchmark, one that will take some matching, let alone surpassing.
That dedication to mastering his primary craft is what sets him apart. And herein lies the secret to Matfield’s potency – there will surely be a buck of equal talent to emerge in the future, but it’ll take a level of sacrifice and application which is uncommon in the new generation of players to ensure that talent is translated into the consistent on-field dominance Matfield has exhibited for the bulk of his career.
But his proficiency isn’t limited to lineout play alone. He is a student of the game in the truest sense. To illustrate, I recount a story in SA Rugby magazine’s November 2009 edition where former Wallabies coach and consultant to the 2007 World Cup-winning Springboks, Eddie Jones, tells the story of the first experience he had with Matfield in a coaching capacity.
‘It was pre-2007 World Cup camp and the discussion was attacking formations. Victor was watching so intently, and it seemed like a recorder was running in his mind. I’m sure if I’d asked him to repeat what I said at that time he would have done so verbatim. Then he strolled over and said, “Eddie, what about that play you guys ran for the Brumbies in 2000? You know, the eight-man lineout?”
‘Mate, he proceeded to describe the play down to the finest detail. He’d obviously dissected it thoroughly and knew how and why it could work for the Springboks. He even had ideas about how the play could be improved!
‘I’d heard that he was pretty deliberate about his preparation, but this was something else. I think he only debuted in Super Rugby that year [2000], but he’d been studying Super Rugby plays while he was just a provincial player. That blew my mind. Jake [White] told me he was special before I was invited to coach with the Boks, but that incident – as simple as it may seem to some – perfectly underlined his immense value to the Boks and showed me first-hand exactly why he is held in such high regard.’
Matfield has also been a mostly unacknowledged leader in the Springbok team, and one whom captain John Smit has relied on heavily for direction, guidance and perspective throughout his six-year tenure.
In an interview with Matfield in February 2008 we spoke about the present and future. He’d won everything possible in the game, and he thought he was content to end his career at then French D2 club Toulon. He had a three-storey villa overlooking the Mediterranean in the exclusive suburb of Carqueiranne. Toulon were paying him a mint to scrap with butchers, bakers and candlestick makers. Holidays in Corsica and Monaco and other glamorous locations were commonplace. In French Matfield was a bon vivant – a person who enjoys the good things in life.
But his belief that he could make telling contributions to Springbok rugby, as a player and a leader, hadn’t diminished as he thought it would. His return to South Africa wasn’t logical, some would even consider it plainly stupid. But it said everything about Matfield’s deep affection for the Springbok jersey.
Whether at 33 years old Matfield has the physical capacity to emerge from the slump he currently finds himself in remains to be seen. He may yet taint his reputation by being one of those greats who hang on despite being spent, and in doing so adversely affect how they are remembered. But he has consistently proved his class and dismissing him as a has-been would be to expose your opinion to utter embarrassment in future. Here’s hoping the final chapters of Matfield’s career are marked by successes and not moments that sully our estimation of him.
On Saturday, wherever you are, stand to your feet and cheer loudly to honour a living legend. You may not see a genius like Matfield again in your generation. In fact, the rugby world may not ever see a player to match him. And he is ours.
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132 Comments
26 Aug 2010, 12:16 pm
All the best Victor.
26 Aug 2010, 12:18 pm
Talk about over playing someone. Why the %$^# did he fly to Wales?
26 Aug 2010, 12:19 pm
He was the best there has ever been.
Was.
Not is.
26 Aug 2010, 12:22 pm
What a champion.
A true legend of SA rugby.
Pioneered new tactics in the line-outs in the modern game, showed how a no.5 lock could get around the park and lead his country in times of need.
Victor truly deserves his 100th cap, and a win in it too
26 Aug 2010, 12:23 pm
@Bok fan(Bok fan)-2: Who knows, that was craziness, but if he hadnt his 100th cape would be in that little hole called Durban
26 Aug 2010, 12:23 pm
All the Best Victor. Do it with a win.
26 Aug 2010, 12:23 pm
AIRBORNE SUPREMACY DRAGON!!
LEGEND !!!
26 Aug 2010, 12:25 pm
In die begin nie mal oor hom as slot nie maar soos hy nou weet respekteer ek om baie as rugbyspeler.
Huidiglik die beste kaptein in SA imo…..
Het sy foute, maar soos Bissie sê… as Vic praat dan luister jy!
26 Aug 2010, 12:26 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-7:
Good way to put it….hehehe. He is a legend for sure.
26 Aug 2010, 12:26 pm
Victor has really changed the way locks play the game, he has innovated most modern line out calls and has had coaches thinking on how to avoid him on more occasions than anyone cares to remember.
He is surely a player of the decade with FDP and McCaw
26 Aug 2010, 12:27 pm
@Puma(Puma)-9: Legend. Nuff said!
26 Aug 2010, 12:31 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-11: Now hope we can beat the Wallabies in his 100th this weekend.
Think at Loftus is will be tough for Wallabies. Think we will sneak it.
Now hoping Sharks to beat Griquas too. Dstv not showing the game again. Why we have to pay em is just rubbish. Sharks are top of the log and a game against Griquas would attract plenty viewers.
Anyhow. Go Bokke and Sharks.
26 Aug 2010, 12:31 pm
@WP_(WP_)-5: You mean Bloem? Easy on the Durb jirps, 30 degrees on a Winters day, can’t beat that. Wish I was there
26 Aug 2010, 12:32 pm
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-3:
“He was the one of the best there has ever been.”
Fixed.
26 Aug 2010, 12:32 pm
@Puma(Puma)-12: is = it
26 Aug 2010, 12:34 pm
@Bok fan(Bok fan)-13: For sure buddy. 29 here today and this is still winter
Got to love it…hehehe. Best weather in the world right now.
26 Aug 2010, 12:34 pm
The best no 5 ever. better than Eales, Jones and the rest.
26 Aug 2010, 12:35 pm
@Bok fan(Bok fan)-13: Sorry, was thinking of something else!
My bad!!
26 Aug 2010, 12:35 pm
‘drie, twee, vier – oh fok my those irish buggers ken afrikaans’ – vic
all the best big man!
26 Aug 2010, 12:35 pm
@Puma(Puma)-12: I think we will win if the Boks play like the first 70mins last week.
Are you serious about no Sharks game… farkit, that means nothing on Sky.
Wonder who they are showing… let me guess – the amazing WePee or the incredible Lions…
26 Aug 2010, 12:35 pm
@Muttonbird(Muttonbird)-14: Name any that were better
26 Aug 2010, 12:36 pm
Sterkte ou grote, hopelik wen julle hierdie toets. Goeie kaptein maar sy spel het bietjie afgeneem. Miskien net moeg maar ek hoop hy kom gou weer op sy beste vorm.
26 Aug 2010, 12:36 pm
Firstly, I don’t think most people get how much work Victor put in over the recent Tri-Nations series, the guy was one of our best forwards.
On Victor…
When a player has the ability to change how the game is played in certain areas worldwide, you know he is something special.
Victor did not only have an impact as a player in the game of union, he changed how it was played in a certain area and that will leave him as one of the very few rugby greats of all time.
Ek hoop die ondersteuners, jou mede-spelers en die atmosfeer doen jou reputasie Saterdag as ‘n speler en rugby innoveerder geregtigheid. Jy sal as een van die spel se grootste name onthou word.
26 Aug 2010, 12:37 pm
@JL1(JL1)-21: Only fellow WC winners Eales and Andrews come close…
Okay, outtahere…
26 Aug 2010, 12:38 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-20: No, we have a good viewing weekend ahead of us
Friday 27th August
SPORT FIXTURE TIME FIXTURE TOURNAMENT CHANNELS & BROADCAST TIMES
17:45
Toulon v Racing
French Top 14 Setanta Ireland (17:45-20:00 Ireland Only)
More
18:00
Sharks v Griquas
Currie Cup Sky Sports 4 (18:00-20:00)
Sky Sports HD4 (18:00-20:00)
More
Saturday 28th August
SPORT FIXTURE TIME FIXTURE TOURNAMENT CHANNELS & BROADCAST TIMES
06:30
Wellington v Northland
ITM Cup Sky Sports 1 (06:30-08:30)
Sky Sports HD1 (06:30-08:30)
More
08:30
Canterbury v Auckland
ITM Cup Sky Sports 1 (08:30-10:30)
Sky Sports HD1 (08:30-10:30)
More
13:30
New Zealand v Wales
Women’s Rugby World Cup Sky Sports 4 (13:30-16:00)
Sky Sports HD4 (13:30-16:00)
More
16:00
South Africa v Australia
Tri-Nations Sky Sports 4 (16:00-18:00)
Sky Sports HD4 (16:00-18:00)
More
19:30
Toulouse v Stade Francais
French Top 14 Setanta Ireland (19:30-22:00 Ireland Only)
More
26 Aug 2010, 12:41 pm
@JL1(JL1)-25: Schweet… How can the Sharks be on Sky and not on SS…
Anyway, not complaining… Will make sure. Thank you.
26 Aug 2010, 12:45 pm
@JL1(JL1)-25: Well that says it all about how useless dstv is. Sky Sports getting the Sharks game and US right here in SA don’t. Why we pay em I have no idea. Dstv should be showing all the CC games in SA. Everyone watches it here.
26 Aug 2010, 12:45 pm
@WP_(WP_)-18: No worries
@Puma(Puma)-16: Lucky bugger
26 Aug 2010, 12:45 pm
Saw a pic of Vic on supersport site. He is a lean, mean Bok machine. The key to his longevity lies in his physical conditioning.
Divvy – MAAK VIR VIC KAPTEIN. Send Smit home and make him put a picture of Vic on his ceiling to see what a conditioned rugby player looks like.
GO VIC – YOU DESERVE A BIG WIN ON SATURDAY
26 Aug 2010, 12:48 pm
@JL1(JL1)-21: Didn’t say any were necessarily better but at that level it’s not really possible to effectively distinguish the top five (say). Also, their whole game and influence on Rugby has to be taken into account. For instance, Eales was captain material and could kick goals! Hard to compare eras too.
Meant just what I said – Matfield is right up there and seems a good man too which is also important IMO.
26 Aug 2010, 12:48 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-20: Think the Boks should win it this weekend. Should have last weekend too. Pity about the last 4min of that game. So hoping for a win this weekend.
See your Sky Sports is showing the Sharks game. Jeepers here is all the Sharks supporters living in SA and not getting it
Enjoy it. Griquas almost beat Bulls last week so it should be a cracker and they beat us 1st up. So hoping we win it. Should though. Sharks playing some really fantastic rugby right now.
26 Aug 2010, 12:49 pm
@JL1(JL1)-25: You really going to watch all that?
26 Aug 2010, 12:50 pm
@Bok fan(Bok fan)-28: Yip, sure am….hehehe. Love our winters here. Where you live?
26 Aug 2010, 12:51 pm
@Puma(Puma)-31: It is disgraceful for dstv. Sorry.
I am happy though…
26 Aug 2010, 12:52 pm
Cheers everyone. Catch up later.
Once again. Good Luck Victor. All the best. Hope the team wins it for you on your 100th too.
26 Aug 2010, 12:54 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-34:
Sure you happy.
Yip, not good enough from dstv. Could go to the game though. Just might do that. I don’t have a season ticket but think there will be plenty seats.
Just feels more comfortable to watch from here.
Anyhow Cheers HG. Catch up later.
26 Aug 2010, 12:56 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-24: To suggest only WC winning locks are great locks is ridiculous.
Your posts were looking quite promising earlier when you accepted that the ABs (and some NZ fans) were gracious after their dramatic and fortuitous victory on Saturday, but I see you are returning to what you know best.
26 Aug 2010, 12:59 pm
Congrats Vic …….most majestic jumper the world has seen !!!!
See out these last 2 games……then a well deserved rest and a extensive conditioning programme is in order !!!
26 Aug 2010, 13:02 pm
@Muttonbird(Muttonbird)-37: HG is not here to make friends, especially Southsea sheepshagging muttonchops…
26 Aug 2010, 13:05 pm
they won’t show the Sharks game cos they don’t want us to see Basson embarrass Lambie again! Haha
26 Aug 2010, 13:08 pm
I was a laaitie in PE, about 18 or 19, just started studying and one night out at Tapas bar in Brooks Pavilion, lanky and tall Vic Matfield (then playing for the Griquas or Pumas, I’m not sure) and James Dalton (playing for Transvaal) in town for a rugby tournament, walked in. The beers flowed like honey and before i knew it, Dalton was on the floor and had old Vic in a headlock. They were wrestling for a few seconds and then it was all over. Dalton was too strong and Vic gave up.
I didn’t think then, back in 1998, that this tall skinny guy would ever play for the boks.
Well done Victor, you are true class. Salute.
26 Aug 2010, 13:09 pm
Victor is a legend. Well done Victor! kick some convict bu*tt on your 100th.
26 Aug 2010, 13:13 pm
@logie_Jumpbuck(logie_Jumpbuck)-41:Brooks is being demolished to make way for an office development! Too much noise and mayhem by drun students for the neighbours
26 Aug 2010, 13:16 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-43: i’ve heard. haven’t lived in PE for years but that place was magic in the late 90′s and early 2000′s….
26 Aug 2010, 13:25 pm
Talk is cheap…
Big Vic buys the whisky.
26 Aug 2010, 13:28 pm
@gunther(gunther)-45: not for you he won’t.
26 Aug 2010, 13:29 pm
K*K.
There’s nothing wrong with Victor’s current level of play.
Just because Smit is a hasbeen, don’t lump Victor together with him.
26 Aug 2010, 13:30 pm
Matfield is a champion…..and will lead Boks to WC 2011….mark my words.
He has been overplayed……but nothing a long break will not fix…..he has the genetic make up to last till 2011…..
What a great player…..well done Champ….
26 Aug 2010, 13:33 pm
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-47: yip, and nakalavuki is the best winger in the world
you are so one eyed, your brain is struggling to distinguish between your d i c k and your eyes.
26 Aug 2010, 13:35 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-39: Constant name-calling betrays your sense of inferiority and low self esteem.
26 Aug 2010, 13:40 pm
@Puma(Puma)-33: Lived in all 3 big ones. Durbs, CT and Jozi. Currently in Jozi. Winters much better here than CT’s but can’t compare with Durbs.
26 Aug 2010, 13:47 pm
Massive congratz and deserved 100 caps. You are a true legend of Springbok rugby and have been a key component of our successes in the last 7 years.
Hats off mate – and your not spent yet, just take a break from money making for a bit and get some rest and conditioning and you could hold another WC trophy
26 Aug 2010, 13:49 pm
@Mike H(Mike H)-52: We lucky him and Jake sorted out their differences a few years ago…
26 Aug 2010, 13:52 pm
53. Bok fan(Bok fan) :
Indeed, and I think both were better off for it.
Victor said it himself, he was subborn and arrogant, I don;t think Jake took it and they both had to learn to listen to one another – and compromise.
26 Aug 2010, 14:24 pm
Plus Victor has completely independent eyebrows. Not too many locks with them.
26 Aug 2010, 14:35 pm
I cannot wait for Vic’s autobiography. I mean he is the only captain in SA that can include a chapter (or three) on winning the Super 12/14. I will then have to wait another 20 odd years to read the chapters about the first guy to win the Super tournamount and World Cup as player and coach. Hopefully he can win the World cup next year as captain just to add to it all.
26 Aug 2010, 14:40 pm
@Horings(Horings)-56: How cool an ending that would be to the Big Man’s career. Playing career that is. I’m sure he’ll go into coaching one day, and be successful at it!
26 Aug 2010, 14:49 pm
He has by far the most impressive CV of the 3 Bok centurions: 1 WC, 2 TN’s, 3 S12/14′s and a couple of Currie Cups. Surely the Grand Slam must be no.1 on his “Things still to do” list? Even more important that another WC perhaps.
26 Aug 2010, 14:59 pm
Yup big up to Vic. A gent and a clean player to boot.
Time for JS to exit and join the bok mngmnt, Vic to lead us.
Oh well we can dream.
26 Aug 2010, 14:59 pm
@UnbeataBULL(UnbeataBULL)-57: I’m sure he will. Rassie and Victor are the 2 players that analise/ed there performances for hours after each match
26 Aug 2010, 15:06 pm
Big Vic deserves credit. He has been a massive figure in Springbok rugby in the last few years.
Just read some bad news about Brussouw:
South Africa and Cheetahs flank Heinrich Brüssow will undergo follow-up surgery to his knee which will further delay his return to playing.
The operation, set to be performed on Tuesday, means Brüssow will be unavailable for selection for the Springbok tour to Europe in November.
Brüssow was assessed during the recent Springbok training camp in Johannesburg and it has been agreed that a second operation is needed in order to ensure that he is 100 per cent fit and available for the 2011 season, which includes the Rugby World Cup.
26 Aug 2010, 15:13 pm
@Yetirat(Yetirat)-61: One thing that this test season showed us is that you have to replace like for like. If Brussow is not available then you have to select Stegmann. Those are the only two that can combat McCaw/ Pocock in a test match. I cannot understand PdV picking Spies, but the two guys making him look good for the bulls is left behind.
26 Aug 2010, 15:25 pm
@Muttonbird(Muttonbird)-50: hehehehe. It would really have to be low to depend on calling kiwis name… My inferiority is only such that I haven’t experienced what much of NZ has…
…sheepshagging.
26 Aug 2010, 15:33 pm
Congrats to VM. Great player who goes about his craft with little ‘hoo-hah’. I think he has the benefit of a much better side this weekend and expect his 100th appearance to end with a win.
26 Aug 2010, 15:37 pm
Francois Steyn, who has been called up for South Africa’s Tri Nations match against Australia, is “not ready” for Test rugby, according to his Racing-Metro coach Pierre Berbizier.
“I don’t think so,” former France scrum-half Berbizier said when asked whether full-back Steyn was ready for a return to the high-octane world of Test match rugby.
“I said that to the South African team officials, whether Francois is ready for an international match against teams which are already at their fifth or sixth game (of the competition).”
Steyn replaces Gio Aplon in the No 15 jersey following a 29-22 home loss to New Zealand last weekend.
Steyn last wore the green and gold two months ago in Cardiff where his fitness came under fire from coach Peter de Villiers after a three-point triumph.
De Villiers subsequently questioned the loyalty of the 2007 World Cup winner to the team and his recall comes after intense media pressure as the Springboks continue the search for a first-choice fullback.
After Wales, Zane Kirchner from Super 14 champions Northern Bulls was elevated and made six appearances before an injury ruled him out of the All Blacks showdown at Soccer City.
The pro-Steyn media lobby believe the booming boot of the former Coastal Shark and ability to kick penalties from extraordinary distances make him indispensible and a ‘must’ for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand
Sydney Morning Herald
26 Aug 2010, 15:39 pm
@Horings(Horings)-62:
Yeah I’m more for rectifying issues concerning our own ball retention at the breakdown before we rush off and worry about stealing opposition ball.
Spies is a hype, you’re right about that! I’m all for Big Joe at 8, Steggies at 6 and Smith at 7. They might take a few games to gel, but by God you watch the work rate of that loose trio increase from where we are now!
26 Aug 2010, 15:50 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-65:
After the games in NZ, Pinnear was going to be the saviour, then Hougard and now Superman returns, there is no continuity in selection which builds a team just straw clutching from coaches and fans. You would be happy to know Sir Ritchie will be winning the IRB player of the year award again this year?
26 Aug 2010, 15:53 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-67:
No one player can win a match, it’s a team effort but some seem to forget.
Richie should have been MoM in Soweto without doubt. Don’t have to like the dude and his ‘antics’ but one has to respect him.
26 Aug 2010, 15:56 pm
Congratulations and good luck with the game on Sat Big Vic.
Hope to see you back to your best at the WC 2011.
26 Aug 2010, 15:56 pm
Super article – bang on the money and very interesting.
Matfield, and for that matter Smit, were in excellent form as recently as last year.
I think it is burn-out – glad it has happened now and not next year. Both men need a rest and reconditioning and shouldn’t go anywhere near a rugby field for several months after this season is over.
Matfield can definitely recover – he was good on Saturday, not at his best, but the best lock on the field for the bulk of the game. He spoilt quite a few of their lineouts and its not his fault that Smit spoilt his 100th game with the worst performance of his career, bad lineout throws and all.
He is essential for next year … Smit, unless he can radically recover his best form (unlikely) – not essential.
26 Aug 2010, 16:01 pm
@OCO(OCO)-68:
Fair enough but if he was South African it would be a different story we both know that, he is the greatest 7 the world has ever seen and it really doesn’t matter what the clowns on KEO write because his PEERS have nominated him 5 or 6 times to be IRB player of the year and they will do again this year as he is the best rugby player on the planet.
26 Aug 2010, 16:03 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-67: Sometimes I hope for the collective sanity of NZ that Reechie does indeed hold up the cup next year…
Othertimes I just say farkit, let me short NZ securities next year roundabout Oct 2011…
26 Aug 2010, 16:07 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-72:
Would be nice he deserves it.
26 Aug 2010, 16:10 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-73: No team “deserves” it. They must win it. No excuses.
And next year on NZ turf, with Sherrif P OBrien as head prefect of the laws of the game and no doubt an Irishman again in charge of the final – there are no excuses for the “No 1.” side in the world.
You do realise that, don’t you…?
26 Aug 2010, 16:14 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-74:
You’ve been watching too much of the History channel and conspiracy doco’s, you are correct in saying NZ are the No 1 team but that is nothing new, there won’t be a Paddy reffing the final it’ll be a SAFFA.
26 Aug 2010, 16:24 pm
MATFIELD is an old man now.
He played like an old man against the ABs
Flip was terrific.
The BOKS have zero chance of making the finals in 2011
never mind winning it
Dont waste your energy supporting them
They arent worth the ticket price
from a heart broken Bok supporter
26 Aug 2010, 16:28 pm
@Boksarenumber4(Boksarenumber1)-76:
He ain’t that old, Thorn is 35 and will play next year.
26 Aug 2010, 16:35 pm
#73. NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)
You are quite correct – McCaw deserves Player of the Year Award for 2010 – stand-out player, no question at all. His game is nothing short of perfect and his captaincy has also improved. I’m quite amazed at how he keeps going year after year – including EOYT’s one after the other, where he continues to perform at top level.
But last year he was relatively average in the three games the All Blacks lost against the Boks and Fourie du Preez was head and shoulders above him. Du Preez was perfect in 2010 and Star of the Show against the Lions – and in S14.
He’s the one who should have got it last year – but that favouritism for NZ runs so deep through the admin of the game, they gave it to Richie and that wasn’t accurate or fair – don’t get me started.
26 Aug 2010, 16:35 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-72: Daring stuff to hope for that (even sometimes) from your shores. Imagine – no more A4Ys and “choker” jibes for using in arguments. Collective sanity at risk.
26 Aug 2010, 16:39 pm
@J.B. Cowper(J.B. Cowper)-78: I’d agree, although McCaw is an excellent player, last year SA player was more appropriate for top award.
26 Aug 2010, 16:43 pm
@J.B. Cowper(J.B. Cowper)-78:
Totally agree, Du Preez deserved it without a doubt last year. I am also amazed at how he has performed year in year out at the very top of his game, sure he may have got outplayed last year but that has to happen sometimes and you will always have off years, is there any player that has played as well as he has for close to a decade?
26 Aug 2010, 17:08 pm
#81 NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)Reply to this comment
- Michael Jones – I rate him fractionally higher than McCaw; Victor Matfield is thereabouts as well, so was John Eales and the Frenchman Benazzi -
But as a flank forward Jones is probably the best I’ve ever seen …
Going back to Ritchie though – how does he survive so long without getting injured?
26 Aug 2010, 17:21 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-75: Heaven forbid a Kiwi reffing the final in NZ…
Wouldn’t that be nice for the Kiwis…
26 Aug 2010, 17:26 pm
@Boksarenumber4(Boksarenumber1)-76: Matfield put in more work than Van der Merwe and ran the lineout, he just did less ball-carries
26 Aug 2010, 17:26 pm
@Nils(Nils)-79: Count yourself lucky. Collective sanity for Bok supporters has gone past risk of breaking point… There are probably more loyal Kiwi Bok supporters than Keo Bok supporters…
It may have something to do with all those darling Stormer players getting smashed in green and gold…
And then they getting smashed in blue and white…
Nowhere to turn to…
26 Aug 2010, 17:34 pm
Congratulations, in his prime no one to touch him in the air, but he’s slowing up big time, both he and smit need to be put on ice and special conditioning programs so that they go to Rwc 2011, even if it off the bench, rested and fir like juan has shown, makes these guys come back as different players but they are playing too much rugby at their age.
Rest him total for rest of year after Aussie game
26 Aug 2010, 18:12 pm
Congrats Big Vic on a great achievement. Let’s hope that you celebrate your 100th with a victory. I don’t think Loftus will be full, but you might get the few loyal Bulls supporters going to celebrate your achievement. Those masks worry me though!
26 Aug 2010, 18:17 pm
@cab(cab)-86:
Are you truly in good health? Surely not?
I could swear by these quoted words of YOURS;
” but he’s slowing up big time, both he and smit need to be put on ice and special conditioning programs so that they go to Rwc 2011, even if it off the bench ”
that you must be running a ravaging deathly FEVER and you are in DIRE need of EMERGENCY attention. Jump in a bath of cold water to stabilise that climbing temperature. Then quickly get yourself to the nearest ER, but soon.
Just a week or so ago these two m o n keys were your mainstays and now they are your off the BENCH darlings?
Seems like science trumps the emotions even for you big “brekers” in the land of the DECREPIDS.
Please stay with them in your WC team as I want my scientific analysis to be absolutely correct come WC 2011.
26 Aug 2010, 18:19 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-81: Brian O’Driscoll has been right up there since 1999.
26 Aug 2010, 18:20 pm
Victor Matfield is also very intelligent. He was a A-Grade student at school achieving a host of destinctions in his matric final exam. A very talented man this.
26 Aug 2010, 18:22 pm
I salute Vic Matfield…a True SA Legend.
26 Aug 2010, 18:32 pm
Whilst most people were whining about the amount of time he spent in the backline, they missed the fact that his timing of his passes put most of our backs to shame. The man is probably the most skillfull rugby player to have worn a number 5 jersey along with Eales.
26 Aug 2010, 18:36 pm
Well done Big Vic.
He is very close to my All Time XV, if not in it.
26 Aug 2010, 18:37 pm
How more vain(“you probably think this song is about you”) big ‘brekers’ ‘Boks forwards(of all players) become as centurions?
Groot Johannes Smit tjank met sy familie omdat hy net n rugby wedstryd verloor het.
En nou Victoria Matfield wat 30000 lelike maskers van homself vir kinders wil iutgee en bang maak?
What has happened to that manly, stiff upper lip game of the likes of Frik DuP, and Jan Pickard, and Jan Ellis and Jan Boland Coetzee and Piet Greyling that we now witness so much VANITY? Must be all the bucks they have to spend on their faces, I guess.
26 Aug 2010, 18:42 pm
@ET(ET)-94:
Well it all started at Loftus. They started singing love songs to men! I mean what do you think?
26 Aug 2010, 18:46 pm
@ET(ET)-88: scientific analysis, lol, please tell all…
26 Aug 2010, 18:51 pm
@ET(ET)-94:
none of those old timers had endorsements…
26 Aug 2010, 18:54 pm
His former coach, Meyer rates him as the best ever in the history of the game as a lock(not even just a #5). How can that be when he is nothing more than an equisite jolly jumper just better than that other Bull jolly jumper, John Williams?
He is too incomplete a lock-forward(hardly ever features in the real tight grit and grind) to even be in my top ten and my top ten has the likes of John Eales, and Frik Du Preez and Oliver(NZ) amongst others.
26 Aug 2010, 19:00 pm
If the core get rest and conditioning before the Wc – we will make it to the WC finals.
That’s my call – ridicule me if the time comes and it’s not true.
This is the greatest Bok rugby team of my 29 year lifetime with some of teh greatest players in bok history.
Only the AB’s can beat us come WC. Hope we only meet in the finals.
26 Aug 2010, 19:03 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-95: @gunther(gunther)-97:
The only truth(like mine) amongst the plethora of lies here today.
Those real men would still be real men even with endorsements.
Hey Mr. G, I frankly and nicely answered your question about the early contracts 2 days ago but you did not respond to my throwing your question back at you.
Do you think it unusual(those contracts)?
26 Aug 2010, 19:08 pm
@Mike H(Mike H)-99: bloody hell….you only 29….
fark me….explains a bit!
26 Aug 2010, 19:10 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-96:
Sorry, pearls before swine(you set yourself up for that).
And I am not in the habit of doing so too often. Cabbie already is one too many but I see he does learn but very, very slowly. He has pushed Vic and Johannes Smit to the bench now for 2011 WC.
26 Aug 2010, 19:34 pm
@grant10(grant10)-101: FatBoys Club coming clean! It started with Plod in the Wales match but they never get DROPPED – bulletproof manne!
Habana aware of faults
57 minutes ago
Pretoria – Springbok wing Bryan Habana’s
lapse in defence at crucial times cost the
Springboks the Test match against the All
Blacks last week.
By his own admission Habana has been
poor by his own high standards in this
year ’s Tri-Nations, but he sees Saturday’s
clash with the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld
as the ideal opportunity to turn things
around.
“Yes, last week we made a few defensive
lapses on defence against the All Blacks,”
Habana said at the Springbok hotel on
Thursday.
“I was the man to mark Cory Jane in the last
movement. Juan de Jongh marked the man
on my inside, but when I turned I couldn ’t
get back fast enough to stop Richie McCaw
from scoring the winning try, ” he
explained.
“Personally I was happy with the way I
played, but we put ourselves under
unnecessary pressure,
When Juan (De Jong) made that high tackle
in the first half, it was actually my fault
because I shot out of my line, ” he admitted.
The 64-Test veteran believes the Boks have
been playing Test rugby long enough to
know where things have gone wrong.
“As players we put a lot of pressure on
ourselves to perform. There is of course
also a lot of pressure from the public. I take
responsibility for my personal faults. But
we don ’t only want to rectify things as
individuals but also get things right as a
team.”
The speedster believes this is not just
another game where they have to be
physically up for the challenge, but they
will also have to be psychologically
prepared to raise the level of intensity.
He is particularly is looking forward to his
personal duel with the talented youngster
James O ’ Connor who will mark him on
Saturday.
“Quade Cooper (flyhalf) is one of the best
players I have seen in the game in a long
time. With a playmaker like Matt Giteau on
his outside and brilliant players like James
O ’ Connor, Drew Mitchell and Kurtley Beale
in the back three, they can be particularly
devastating.
“It is going to be tough! But as
disappointing as the last few Test matches
were, we are still confident that we can
turn things round on Saturday, ” he added.
26 Aug 2010, 19:37 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-103: ja.
Habana 1 of the members.
munching at the trough.
But Plod the main Cgairman.
He falls it will have a domino effect.
Have to wait and see what happens….aussies nail us at altitude the ship may be on the sink…..
26 Aug 2010, 19:37 pm
Chairman
26 Aug 2010, 19:57 pm
@grant10(grant10)-104:but if Habana admits to messing up why are de jongh & aplon then getting the sack?!!!!
26 Aug 2010, 19:57 pm
I am quite happy to see the younger guys come through and used on the EOY tour, but both smit and matfield still have a big role yet to play IMO, just as Percy and Os played a very specfific role in 2007.
26 Aug 2010, 20:07 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-106: because we have become apathetic and numbed to the injustices….we a bunch of sheep being lead by the fatboys club….sentiment and candy floss clouds our vision.
PDV has done a deal and is nothing more than a puppet. 78% OF A HUGE POLL WANTS SMIT TO RETIRE, BUT OUT LOUD THE SILENCE IS DEAFENING.
tHERE IS A FARKEN ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM BUT PEOPLE DONT WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT….ITS TREASON!
we becoming a nation accepting of mediocrity and 2 nd best.
Shame on all of us…
26 Aug 2010, 20:08 pm
ET
I agree with you that I prefer a slighly more rounded lock, but in terms of lineot dominance, there’s been no one to touch matfield in the air and that includes ian jones and john eales. At his peak I would also venture that he is one of the fastest locks that’s ever played too.
Problem is victor is a thinker, not enough vokmaarvoort, which is fine if the rest of the pack can foil it but with a less dynamic 2, 3 and 8 – the current pack can’t live with the tighter packs
26 Aug 2010, 20:44 pm
Well done Victor! A scholar and a gentleman of the game..
He should, has to and will go to the WC.. They need to rest him now though.. He is like a wounded buffalo.. Almost dead on his feet.. The amount of rugby he has played is insane!
I agree he should never have gone to Wales but at least he get’s his 100th at Loftus..
Smit and Matfield to lead us to keeping the William Webb Ellis trophy..
26 Aug 2010, 20:54 pm
Some of you can see that Matfield’s expertise at the lineout is where his play stops as far as being a lock forward goes.
I’ve watched him amble around the field between (increasingly fewer) lineouts. He occasionally is where the ruck forms, although he never gets involved in them except when he takes the ball up and is immediately put into reverse by the opposition tackler. Then he loses possession on most occasions.
People, sorry to rain upon his parade, but he is nowhere as good as you like to think. (I admit that he is and always will be the best lineout jumper, but that is where his play ends)
26 Aug 2010, 20:55 pm
somehow i don’t feel sorry for these ‘senior’ players! When peter de villiers told them to stay at home for last year’s end of year tour they all insisted on going overseas, more munch, munch munch at the through, now they want to tell us about fatigue and being overplayed!
26 Aug 2010, 21:25 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-112: yes….and pdv asks them if they want to tour!!
Tell them they are being rested….why give them the option?
Munch….munch….munch.
weak my man….
26 Aug 2010, 21:32 pm
Victor, any guy who wears the Green & Gold 100 times, is worthy of the highest praise. Well done boet. Actually better than well done.
Have a rest now, and come back for the start of next year.
Go paddle surf in Hawaii. Something like that.
27 Aug 2010, 00:36 am
I reckon Matfield will be an awesome coach in the future.
27 Aug 2010, 01:20 am
111. Auntie Mavis(Auntie Mavis) of course your opinion non biased as it is.
Thanks big Vic for your great service and dedication. True Bok legend! Time for a rest before the RWC.
27 Aug 2010, 01:26 am
Great lineout exponent, but a ruck and maul inspector of note.
27 Aug 2010, 01:57 am
Matfield is central to the Bok mauls, and he hit more rucks than any other SA player last weekend. I’m not sure if it’s fair to judge his entire career on recent form but he is a player who won man of the match in a World Cup final, is one of only two locks to be nominated for IRB player of the year and has won everything else in the game. Indeed he is the probably the greatest lineout forward we’re likely to see.
27 Aug 2010, 02:12 am
@grant10(grant10)-108:
Grant, granted that South Africa’s “God given talent” Puppet De Villiers may be a clown, but you dont want teams to be chosen by national poll.
If you went down that route, rugby would be like politics… just take a look at ejits in parliment to see why this is a bad idea.
Also, full credit to Matfield. It is due – he is the man. As a passionate Springbok opponent, I will be glad when he is gone.
27 Aug 2010, 02:45 am
‘Real’ rugby enthusiasts log on, scroll down, see an ad nauseam G10 or Trans’entitlements’ post and log off and head to RW or another ‘real’ rugby blog!
27 Aug 2010, 04:04 am
Keo! please man
…saying ” Funny how safricans had no problem with alain rouland in 2007 WC final!”
is like saying
” Funny how yanks had no problem with O.J. when he was a great footballer!”
rtarded!!
27 Aug 2010, 04:55 am
@Auntie Mavis(Auntie Mavis)-111:
Try analysing with both eyes doos!
27 Aug 2010, 07:42 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-117:
That is Bakkies and Danie’s job! However, when they do it everybody (excluding S.A.’s) jumps up and down and screems foul play.
Rugby is slowly becoming a softy’s sport.
27 Aug 2010, 07:42 am
@money_man(money_man)-120: ‘real’ rugby idiots used to log on, see their verkrampte buddies gaan aan unrestrained and feel at home. Now they can f*ck off
27 Aug 2010, 07:54 am
Matfield has been a star over his career and a true great. Every player has had periods where their form has dipped, however whether he comes back or not he is still a great. Personally I think he has been over played, given he did the business in Super 14. However as he gets older you cant expect him to play at the highest level for as many games. If you want to get longevity out of him.
And as a Kiwi I cant play Matfield any higher compliment then say that if I could have stolen any one opposition player for my national team then Matfield, in my opinion, would have made the greatest difference.
27 Aug 2010, 07:54 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-124: yeah…Money man…..the kid that wasnt breastfed….shame
27 Aug 2010, 07:58 am
@grant10(grant10)-126: ja mos ‘self-taught, self-made, got a website to prove it’ yeah making that money baby! But the kak thing is that even all that money can’t plug the gaping void inside.
27 Aug 2010, 08:04 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-127: the ‘ inside ‘ is a cesspool of insecurity and angst, that manifests in a ‘laager’ type disposition…..this M M needs many hours on a couich with a Woody Allen type shrink….
It will be money better spent than on the cars, yachts and whatever else he surrounds himself with to compensate for the empty void….
And i sincerely mean this….
27 Aug 2010, 08:11 am
VM needs a holiday in Cambodia
27 Aug 2010, 08:14 am
@iceman(iceman)-123: I agree. If Bakkies did not receive a ban for that brainf art, the results would have been different. If its your job to steal the ball or slow it down, and Bakkies hit you one – like he did on numerous occasions, you’ll think twice about putting your head into that ruck! Its his job to soften up the loosies, and he’s doing a great job at it. I hope he comes back even stronger – and more legal!
27 Aug 2010, 08:24 am
@UnbeataBULL(UnbeataBULL)-130:
“I hope he comes back even stronger – and more legal!” – UnbeataBULL.
In Bakkies’ case, the two are mutually exclusive.
27 Aug 2010, 09:31 am
@grant10(grant10)-108: Robbie Deans seems to disagree….
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