Performance more important to Matfield than milestone
The Springbok captain, Victor Matfield will become the most-capped test player in the history of South African rugby against Wales in his 112th match at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday June 21.
Although this is a great milestone for Matfield, he will be more focused on his performance. “When I decided to make my comeback, I thought that I would play a few games for the Blue Bulls and for the Boks, so I am really fortunate and blessed to go out onto the field tomorrow for my 112the test match.”
The Springboks played a great first half in the first test against Wales last weekend at Durban and would want to build up on their performance. “Our practices went well this week. We went through all our mistakes that we had made on Saturday and we want to build on our performance in the first half. We want to keep to the structure and we want to be more patient.”
A perfect game? “We are far from being perfect, but we work harder every game to reach that goal.”
Springbok wing Bryan Habana had a pretty special Father’s Day when his wife Janine gave birth to a son named Timothy Jacob and he only joined the team on Monday. “Bryan has missed a few practices and there is still a few things we need to do this afternoon before the game tomorrow. But he is just one those players that fit right into the game plan.”
The 37 year old lauded the Baby Boks’ and the captain, Handré Pollard for en exceptional performance during the Junior World Cup. The Junior Boks lost against England in the final 21-20. “There is a few players that will wear the Green and Gold one day. Unlucky for them to loose in the final, but well done to Handré and the team. ”
Matfield made his test debut on 30 June 2001 against Italy in Port Elizabeth. He retired after the Rugby World Cup in 2011 on 110 caps, but made a highly successful return to the game earlier this year.
• Bryan Habana will extend his record as the most-capped Springbok wing, with 95 Tests in this position and if he scores a try, will extend his record of 55 Test tries for South Africa. He has also played in one Test at outside centre.
• Morné Steyn will extend his record as the most-capped Springbok flyhalf, with 53 Tests in this position. If he scores a try, he will also extend his record of eight Test tries as a flyhalf for South Africa.
• If he scores a try, Bismarck du Plessis will extend his record of nine test tries for South Africa as a hooker. Bismarck and his brother Jannie will also be playing together in their 33rd Test, which is a Springbok record for brothers.
• Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis and Jannie du Plessis will extend their record of 15 Tests as a front row for South Africa.
• If he goes on Schalk Burger will extend his record as the most capped Springbok flank, with 67 Tests in this position. He also shares the record with Juan Smith for the most Test tries as a flank (11).
• If he goes on and scores a try, Gurthrö Steenkamp will extend his own record of six tries as a prop for South Africa.
• Ruan Pienaar, Schalk Burger and Flip van der Merwe are the sons of ex-Springboks Gysie Pienaar, Schalk Burger (Snr) and Flippie van der Merwe (Snr), while Francois Louw is the grandson of ex-Springbok Jan Pickard.
• Wynand Olivier last played for the Springboks on 23 June 2012 against England in Port Elizabeth.
• The referee is Steve Walsh of Australia (previously New Zealand). This will be his 16th Test involving South Africa. The Springboks have won 11, lost one and three were drawn. His last game was the Test against Argentina on 24 August 2013 in Mendoza, which the Boks won 22-17.
Watch the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bASCtfkkxo&list=HL1403268334&feature=mh_lolz
