Victor Matfield (Born 11 May 1977
in Pietersburg (now in Limpopo Province), South Africa) is a South African rugby union
player for the Springbok rugby team as well as the Blue Bulls in the
Currie Cup and the Bulls franchise in the Super 14. He is generally
considered one of the best locks in the world and has had a long
successful partnership with Springbok and Blue Bulls teammate Bakkies
Botha.
Matfield is known for his exceptional skill at disrupting opposition line-outs and his speed around the field with the former Australian coach Eddie Jones once joking that he should be an Olympic sprinter instead. He also possesses good upper body strength, with the ability to bench press 155 kg. In 2008 he became the first international captain to beat the All Blacks in New Zealand since Martin Johnson in 2003.
Growing up Matfield had a love for both rugby and cricket, and even represented Far North Schools in the latter. When an injury affected his batting and bowling he decided to pursue rugby instead and was selected for Far Norths junior Craven Week team before playing lock for Pietersburg High School. He made it to the Craven Week competition for high schools in two successive years before being selected for Far North's senior provincial team while still in his final year of high school.
After school, Matfield went to study at the University of Pretoria where he made the university's under-21 side. It did not take long for him to be selected for the Blue Bulls under-21 side as well. In 1997, Matfield was selected for the under-21 Springbok side captained by Bobby Skinstad. Matfield was also selected for the 1998 squad.
A big turning point in Matfield's career came when he decided to leave the Blue Bulls for the Griquas in 1999, where he was also selected to represent the Cats in the Super 12 that year. The move allowed him to prove his worth, and in 2000 he was given the opportunity to represent the Bulls Super 12 team.
His hard work did not go unnoticed, and in 2001 he was finally selected for the Springbok squad, making his debut on 30 June 2001 against Italy. Matfield went on to play a major role in the Springboks' renaissance in 2004 and 2005, and he made the five-man shortlist for IRB World Player of the Year.
Matfield was an instant selection for South Africa's 2007 World Cup winning-squad, and won the Man of the Match award in the final for his brilliant work in the line-out and, in a show of fine all-round skill, he even put in a perfect cross-field touch-finding kick!
Matfield had been linked with a move to Leicester Tigers of the English Premiership after the 2007 Rugby World Cup. However, in June 2007, he signed a six-month contract with French second division.
He is arguably the best lineout jumper in world rugby and he does a lot of work on defense as well as in the tight loose.
Matfield is known for his exceptional skill at disrupting opposition line-outs and his speed around the field with the former Australian coach Eddie Jones once joking that he should be an Olympic sprinter instead. He also possesses good upper body strength, with the ability to bench press 155 kg. In 2008 he became the first international captain to beat the All Blacks in New Zealand since Martin Johnson in 2003.
Growing up Matfield had a love for both rugby and cricket, and even represented Far North Schools in the latter. When an injury affected his batting and bowling he decided to pursue rugby instead and was selected for Far Norths junior Craven Week team before playing lock for Pietersburg High School. He made it to the Craven Week competition for high schools in two successive years before being selected for Far North's senior provincial team while still in his final year of high school.
After school, Matfield went to study at the University of Pretoria where he made the university's under-21 side. It did not take long for him to be selected for the Blue Bulls under-21 side as well. In 1997, Matfield was selected for the under-21 Springbok side captained by Bobby Skinstad. Matfield was also selected for the 1998 squad.
A big turning point in Matfield's career came when he decided to leave the Blue Bulls for the Griquas in 1999, where he was also selected to represent the Cats in the Super 12 that year. The move allowed him to prove his worth, and in 2000 he was given the opportunity to represent the Bulls Super 12 team.
His hard work did not go unnoticed, and in 2001 he was finally selected for the Springbok squad, making his debut on 30 June 2001 against Italy. Matfield went on to play a major role in the Springboks' renaissance in 2004 and 2005, and he made the five-man shortlist for IRB World Player of the Year.
Matfield was an instant selection for South Africa's 2007 World Cup winning-squad, and won the Man of the Match award in the final for his brilliant work in the line-out and, in a show of fine all-round skill, he even put in a perfect cross-field touch-finding kick!
Matfield had been linked with a move to Leicester Tigers of the English Premiership after the 2007 Rugby World Cup. However, in June 2007, he signed a six-month contract with French second division.
He is arguably the best lineout jumper in world rugby and he does a lot of work on defense as well as in the tight loose.
