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, 10:54 am
dragons!
27 Aug 2010, 10:57 am
Just heard, Bulls Player Bees Roux arrested for beating a metro cop to death!
27 Aug 2010, 11:07 am
@Fidget(Fidget)-2: serious?
27 Aug 2010, 11:07 am
@Fidget(Fidget)-2:
JA thats heavy!
27 Aug 2010, 11:11 am
Matfield remembers the highs and lows…
Sounds like heroin. Oh thats P3!
27 Aug 2010, 11:11 am
Yes, they found him dead in Schoeman street in the early hours of this morning and bees was arrested hours later.
Hectic.
27 Aug 2010, 11:14 am
@mamma_lou(mamma_lou)-3: just read the article on news24. not much info except he’s in custody related to the death of a cop. wonder what happened
27 Aug 2010, 11:18 am
Cocaine , Strippers , Drugs and now Murder.
Lol is the trophies you have up north not enough???
27 Aug 2010, 11:20 am
Terrible story.
I expect the vultures – like in post #8 above – to come out and feed now.
27 Aug 2010, 11:20 am
@wp_boytjie(wp_boytjie)-8:
Steriods – oh sorry blood ailment – ignore this comment
27 Aug 2010, 11:21 am
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-9:
Yeah unfortunately murder is murder mate! Vultures are those vehicles who stalk smashed cars.
27 Aug 2010, 11:23 am
@wp_boytjie(wp_boytjie)-8: Soon Bees will be in familiar surroundings with his supporters, the Waterkloof4
27 Aug 2010, 11:23 am
This should be his 100th and last test match. We have Bekker, Van der Merwe, steven sykes, ect.
27 Aug 2010, 11:25 am
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-13:
Yeah rumour has it that he will be coaching the Boks!
27 Aug 2010, 11:27 am
The sense of glee and opportunism displayed by certain posters after reading this horrific news is somewhat disquieting. In fact, it is downright nauseating.
27 Aug 2010, 11:27 am
Just read the Ozzies are expected to lose this game as they will be laughing their heads off at all the ***** wearing masks in the crowd!
27 Aug 2010, 11:28 am
CONGRATS VIC AWESOME CAREER
He and Smitty true South African legends of rugby,
27 Aug 2010, 11:28 am
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-15:
Yeah you right. It doesn’t matter if you are joe soap or a famous person – murder is murder. No sympathy for them mate. Whether he is a Bull or a Stormer. No sympathy.
27 Aug 2010, 11:29 am
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-15: Chalk it down to immature, inappropriate response. Learning to pick your jokes comes with age.
27 Aug 2010, 11:31 am
@katman(katman)-19:
Bwahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
27 Aug 2010, 11:33 am
100% sure Bees was dik gedrug!
27 Aug 2010, 11:34 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-20:
Judging by that response, it seems you completely missed Katman’s point.
27 Aug 2010, 11:35 am
I see a Blue bulls rugby player was held for his involvement of the death of a Metro cop , reports are very hazy at this stage.
27 Aug 2010, 11:36 am
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-22:
Judging by your response proves you need an audience. I may be green Tac but I’m not a cabbage
27 Aug 2010, 11:36 am
What a competitor.
I think in most Kiwis eyes Matfield transcended the concerns many of us had about his arm guard and the times that it may have been used for nefarious purpose (e.g. the late hit on Kelleher back in the day.)
It’s true that he has been the premier lock in world rugby for an extremely long time and true that he has revolutionised lineout play. Given that lineouts have been a perennial shortcoming for the ABs, Matfield certainly made us all sit up and pay attention.
I think the ultimate compliment that Kiwis can give him is that because of the threat he represented, the ABs worked hard at this facet of the game -and it’s still a work in progress.
Personally, I’ve always admired Matfield’s calm, “get on with it” attitude. While many of his compatriots are inclined towards thuggery and off-the-ball shenanigans, Big Victor plays the game.
What a competitor and what a top bloke. Congratulations on your 100th Test Victor, hope you’re around to grace the game of international rugby for a long time to come.
27 Aug 2010, 11:38 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-24:
Sadly, it seems you are.
27 Aug 2010, 11:39 am
@Fidget(Fidget)-2:
I can’t find any mention of who the player is, on the news sites. Where did get his name?
27 Aug 2010, 11:39 am
@Fidget(Fidget)-2: ok sorry , ignore my post’s.
27 Aug 2010, 11:40 am
@David(David)-27: See post 2 , its Bees Roux
27 Aug 2010, 11:41 am
Wannenberg for cocaine now bees for heroine. If only they banned wannenberg for life then none of this would never happen. You cant get off with a slap on the the wrist for a drug offences.
27 Aug 2010, 11:41 am
@Tacitus(Tacitus)-26:
27 Aug 2010, 11:43 am
@oob(oob)-25: “I’ve always admired Matfield’s calm, “get on with it” attitude”
He’s as calm as a township on a weekend! + Pathetic under pressure!
27 Aug 2010, 11:50 am
@sparticus(sparticus)-29:
I know, that’s the post I was referring to by fidget. I was asking where he got the info that it was Bees, as the news sites can’t publish it until he’s appeared in court and charged.
27 Aug 2010, 11:56 am
Come on Keo and other journo’s, whats the story behind Blue Bulls player Bees Roux being arrested for murder ???
27 Aug 2010, 11:57 am
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-34: huh?
27 Aug 2010, 11:58 am
Sorry Keo and journo’s, i see you do have a thread up.
27 Aug 2010, 11:58 am
Bulls player nabbed for murder
2010-08-27 10:44Email | Print
Pretoria – Pretoria – A Blue Bulls rugby player was in police custody on Friday following the death of a Tshwane metro policeman in Pretoria, his lawyer said.
“I believe there was an incident where a policeman died, passed away, and I know [he] was involved in the incident. How he was involved I don’t know yet, I can’t tell you,” said attorney Ernst Serfontein.
An advocate was consulting the player at the Sunnyside police station on Friday morning and it was possible he could appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court later in the day, or on Monday.
Earlier, the club said it was aware of “the alleged involvement of a player in an incident involving a policeman who died”.
“We do not have any factual information at this stage, but have been informed that the policeman passed away,” Blue Bulls Rugby said in a statement issued by Ian Schwartz, who is on its media relations team.
Allegedly beaten to death
“We would like to express our sincerest condolences to the relatives of the deceased. We are not in a position to make any further comments in this regard.”
A Tshwane metro police officer was allegedly beaten to death in the early hours on Friday, according to paramedics.
Colonel Eugene Opperman said a case of murder had been opened but would give no further details.
Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha said paramedics found the critically injured police officer lying in the middle of Schoeman Street.
The officer died moments later of extensive injuries.
The Blue Bulls will play the Pumas at Nelspruit’s Mbombela stadium on Friday night.
27 Aug 2010, 11:58 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-35: They just put a thread up Sharky
27 Aug 2010, 12:00 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-34: good day ninny hugsssssss how ru doing hun?? LTNchat
hope things going great down in maritzborough
27 Aug 2010, 12:00 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-38: lol ok thanks
27 Aug 2010, 12:00 pm
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-38: They talking were talking bout it on e news just now and said he had been arrested for it and will give more details when they have them.
27 Aug 2010, 12:03 pm
Hello Sharky mhaw !!!!!!! have just been sorting through a ton of pawpaw for the animals, dam hard dirty work but great for muscle tone
came in to wash hands this horrible news is on, hope it is not true.
27 Aug 2010, 12:04 pm
Outskirts of Pmb hot, temp going to be in the thirties next couple of days.
27 Aug 2010, 12:10 pm
Victor Matfield you legend. Best No. 5 lock of all time. Man of the Match in WC 2007 Final!!
27 Aug 2010, 12:12 pm
15. Tacitus(Tacitus) :
ye agree with you there
27 Aug 2010, 12:54 pm
Congrats Vic! Thanks for all the rugby memories.
27 Aug 2010, 14:02 pm
@oob(oob)-25: ‘concerns about his arm guard’
lol you actually thought he had a metal plate in his armguard
27 Aug 2010, 14:23 pm
vic and the ‘ blood brothers’…..ja…ja…ja,…
Fat Boys Club.
Although those three mentined when on form the best of the best.
Anyone read Keos newsletter today?
Could of scripted it myself.
Well done Keo, glad you have not loss your cutting edge….doubted you for a while….but you bak my man….
27 Aug 2010, 14:39 pm
guys its a thread about vics 100th- its no place to discuss the actions of the scum earth
27 Aug 2010, 15:40 pm
big vic you are a living legend and a master of masters in the game of rugby, i think your’e kind of pure genius only blesses this earth once in a few generations. thanks for what you have meant to the game over the years and please make sure you go out with a bang, i strongly believe you will!! JS should actually give the captains arm band to you on sat as you guys will win it for sure, it is truly going to be something special!!!
viva to the victorious victor as he prepares the troops for “VICTOR”-y !!
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