Matfield remembers the highs and lows
27 Aug 2010
Victor Matfield reflects on a career marked by two World Cups of dramatically contrasting fortune.
Matfield looked relaxed and spoke confidently in Pretoria the day before he becomes the third Springbok in history to play 100 Tests. He joked about hoping to become the first to win his milestone match – Percy Montgomery and John Smit before having had their party spoiled by New Zealand – and even got a good luck package from a bird that landed in his lap halfway through the interview.
Reflecting on his career, Matfield told keo.co.za: ‘The lowest point came in 2003 at the World Cup [the Springboks lost 29-9 to New Zealand in the quarter-final]. We were awful and to come home and see the look of sheer disappointment on people’s faces really hurt me.
‘But the 2007 World Cup eased the pain of that memory. It was the highlight of my career. The series win over the British & Irish Lions [in 2009] was a close second, and then to beat the All Blacks thrice in succession ranks right up there.’
Matfield said he had no regrets other than the inability of two of his blood brothers to share the occasion.
‘I would have loved to have Bakkies Botha [suspended] and Fourie du Preez [injured] there alongside me,’ he said. ‘We’ve created so many great memories together. We’ve become very close over the years. But that’s how rugby goes. I’m sure they’ll be in the change room to share the moment.’
Matfield, 33, credits his longevity to hard work. His ethic in this regard is legendary, with stories to illustrate his dedication to his craft abundant. One of the most notable came in December 2009 when Matfield, having just competed with the Barbarians against the All Blacks at Twickenham after a gruelling year-end tour, jetted back to South Africa, landed in the morning and headed straight for a pre-season training session with the Bulls.
‘I told him he could have the day off,’ Heyneke Meyer Bulls director of rugby told this website. ‘But he refused and ran at the front throughout the entire session. That’s just how Victor is. He always wants to lead by example.’
Some argue that that unrelenting drive has had an adverse effect on his performances of late. Matfield has played an exorbitant number of matches in the last year, but he insists that he is in optimal condition.
‘I feel like I could play 10 more,’ a defiant Matfield said. ‘My body feels fine, but I am looking forward to the break after the Tri-Nations where I can get some rest and put in some good conditioning work [the contracted Springboks will be involved in a four-week camp].’
In a recent interview with SA Rugby magazine Matfield said that the 2011 World Cup would represent his final fling with the Springboks and that he would venture into coaching with Boland [along with partners Matfield has invested in the union] following his retirement.
‘That’s still on the cards, although I’ll probably work more behind the scenes getting structures in place,’ he said. ‘But my immediate focus in very much still with the Springboks and the next two Tests against Australia.
‘Hopefully what they get is a desperate Springbok team who plays at the standard we set for ourselves in 2009. It’ll be hard and physical and hopefully I’ll be drinking a beer in celebration of a win and 100 caps.’
Reflect on Matfield’s career:
http://www.keo.co.za/2010/05/20/commanding-respect-2/
http://www.keo.co.za/2009/10/26/big-vics-sixth-sense/
http://www.keo.co.za/2008/04/24/big-vic-i-miss-sa/
http://www.keo.co.za/2010/08/26/celebrating-a-masterful-centurion/
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66 Comments
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27 Aug 2010, 15:45 pm
@malema vs verwoerd(malema vs verwoerd)-50: @malema vs verwoerd(malema vs verwoerd)-50: You’re right, Vic is a living legend. His legend is keeping his rugby career alive when it should be dead. Him and the fat one.
27 Aug 2010, 18:16 pm
ROAR
My blood is red. Is the match showing my Lions eating the Leopards being broadcast?
Vrede get your lazy asss into gear and start a thread my boy.
27 Aug 2010, 18:23 pm
That is just so polite Ryan “A bird left a package in Victors lap”….
We call it birds s*** !!
Surely the Boks have to win on this 100th appearance now….
27 Aug 2010, 18:25 pm
Little bird flying high
Dropped his ‘package’ from the sky
Oh said Victor wiping his thigh
It’s a *&^%^*(**£ good job that Bakkies don’t fly!!!
27 Aug 2010, 18:32 pm
@carol(carol)-54:
that is why Vics nickname is tweet tweet.
27 Aug 2010, 20:15 pm
Its Kiewiet not tweet tweet
27 Aug 2010, 21:03 pm
what a match that was … Pumas you were no match against my Lions but to thump the bully boys like that, WOW
27 Aug 2010, 21:05 pm
and the Cheaters are teaching the WPians all about winning …. nice.
27 Aug 2010, 21:08 pm
any news on my Lions, Vrede you lazy bum where is my thread?
27 Aug 2010, 21:15 pm
ha-ha WPians are losers. Well done my Cheater brothers.
28 Aug 2010, 03:14 am
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-51:
You make no sense. Matfield is still the best in his position in the World…Graham Henry would pick him immediately. He is still a great player and as his skill declines, his leadership qualities won’t…like our fatty up front who pulled together a World Cup in 2007.
The challenge is to time your exit so that you go out with dignity. But sometimes that dignity is denied by people who nshould be watching table tennis or something similarly rivetting.
28 Aug 2010, 04:14 am
Tomorrows’s match should be about honouring Big Vic, one of South Africa’s Rugby greats. Such legends of our game motivate us all, from playing, supporting and inspiring younger generations to become our future champions.
Go well Victor; I hope you get the chance to enjoy that beer with a win tomorrow.
28 Aug 2010, 05:14 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-17: A legend is called a foot.
28 Aug 2010, 08:41 am
One of the greats . Highly respected in NZ and Australia. It will be interesting to see if he makes next years RWC. Hope he retires before he’s forced to.
28 Aug 2010, 10:17 am
Great player, 1 of the best lineout forwards ever.
Have also met him twice and he’s a genuinely nice friendly bloke. Is also a very natural, funny, speaker – took the p*ss without offending, unearthing an eloquent sense of humour I presumed was non-existent from a Pretorian. His Bulls teammates, albeit in a Bok context, were comparatively surly and rude.
Good luck Big Vic.
28 Aug 2010, 14:22 pm
ja ou matfield. If he`s not dominating in the air (something he hasn`t done since being embarrassed by Paul O Connell in last years test against the Irish) then I`m afraid he`d be worth far more as a member of the coaching staff then as a player. Pity Bekker put his back out – I`d suggest he choose a taller mistress next time.
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