Springboks coach Peter de Villiers may think there is “something wrong” with Victor Matfield, but the Wallabies have no doubt the champion lock will be primed for his 100th Test on his home ground.
De Villiers on Monday conceded he needed to speak with Matfield regarding his form as the South Africans search for a first victory in this year’s Tri-Nations series at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday (0100 Sunday AEST).
The admission came as South African commentators also questioned the future of Springboks captain John Smit, who took responsibility for the weekend loss to New Zealand in his 100th Test.
“There’s definitely something wrong with Victor. I have to speak to him,” de Villiers told South African website keo.co.za.
That’s not a view shared by Australian opposite Dean Mumm, who expects lineout guru Matfield to produce his best in Pretoria.
“Absolutely, you can’t say too much more, it’s been an unbelievable career and it’s certainly not finished,” Mumm told a press conference on Monday.
“He’s picked up most of, if not all, the prizes and treasures you can get along the way and he’s done that with distinction and form all the way throughout.
“His form of late has been very, very good and so we don’t expect anything less.
“It’s nice for him to be able to play his 100th Test on his home ground and I’m sure the people up there at Loftus love Victor.”
De Villiers, whose side will play under referee Alain Rolland for the first time since an outburst from the coach resulted in a disciplinary hearing, said he was wary of Australia, who haven’t won on the South African high veldt since 1963.
“They bring a different mindset to the game than the All Blacks. They don’t have the same physical presence,” he said.
“Quade Cooper will pose a threat with his creativity and energy, and we’ll have to counter David Pocock on the ground. We have a plan for him up our sleeves.”
South Africa have been bolstered by the availability of long-range kick specialist Francois Steyn, who has arrived after a wrangle with his French club, and centre Jaque Fourie.
Flanker Juan Smith is confident of being fit after suffering an abdominal strain in the weekend’s 29-22 loss to New Zealand.
Stevedarke
Guest
Smit, Matfield, Spies and Habana are all passengers now. But it's now too late to drop them, so they will all be a the RWC next year, ending South African hopes of defending the cup. Good work PDV.
adam
Guest
come on the boks
Ben S
Roar Guru
Robbie thinks the buys (Smit & Matfield) still have plenty to offer: "Those blokes are playing some of the best rugby of their careers," he said of Smit and Matfield. "They just get better and continue to get better." That sort of drivel is just insulting, embarassing even.
Campbell Watts
Guest
I'm not so sure it's age or amount of test matches that slow a player down - more a diminishing of the spirit to keep playing at such a high level. If the passion is still burning bright this will overcome the tiring of the body - a mind-over-matter type of thing! Think of Brad Thorn or Petero Civoniceva as examples of this, still both at the peak of their games well into their mid-thirties. Keep it up fellas!!! Makes me think there's still hope for me!!
Lee
Guest
In John Smit's book, he says that he always argued with Jake White about Matfield being in the side. Jake White thought Victor didn't do enough around the park but Smit said his set-piece work and technical abillity made up for that. I think Vic is missing Bakkies as you say OJ, Bakkies may be dirty but he has a very high work rate(similar to Juan Smiths) so when those 2 are around it means that players like Matfield and Smit can afford to be a bit slacker.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Matfield never was one for throwing himself into rucks. Considering it's Botha who does all of the dirty work all over the park and in the lineouts, I don't think it's much of a surprise that Matfiield is looking washed up. Most rugby players who reach 100 caps don't really belong there anymore.
Terry Kidd
Guest
Lol ... yeah Brett lets just hope that his lungs and legs won't let him follow his heart
Brett McKay
Guest
Just what we need, Matfield wanting to prove the sceptics wrong..
Terry Kidd
Guest
Probably a bit of both but publicly naming is certainly a big last step. Personally I think Victor's apparent form lapse is more likely to do with his age and the full-on activity in the tests. I no longer believe that he has the speed to keep up, to get from breakdown to breakdown. More likely that is why he is struggling ... and if that is the case, then how will Dan Vickerman stack up?
Matt
Guest
I agree Lee, but somehow feel he's done things back to front. I guess naming and shaming is one way to motivate a star player, but it's also a good way to p*ss them off. Certainly a dodgy line to be taking.
Lee
Guest
I would have thought the correct response would be: 1 Talk to Victor 2 Tell the media you will/have talked to Victor Hopefully thats how he did it instead of announcing it in an interview.