PARIS – Star South African lock forward Victor Matfield has ruled himself out of the Springboks’ tour to the United Kingdom this month.
The World Cup-winning second row has cited fatigue and having to sort out personal commitments as the reasons for his withdrawal. Matfield is set to join French club Toulon from January 1.His place in the tour party will be taken by the Currie Cup champions’ lock forward, the Central Cheetahs’ Barend Pieterse.It was also announced yesterday that South African skipper John Smit would not be available for the friendly international against the Barbarians at Twickenham on December 1.His place will be filled by the uncapped Western Stormers hooker Tiaan Liebenberg.The Boks’ only test on the short tour – which signals the end of coach Jake White’s time with the team – is next weekend against Wales in Cardiff.They have suffered a number of setbacks in the lead up to the tour with loose forwards Danie Rossouw, Wikus van Heerden and prop Gurthro Steenkamp all withdrawing because of injury.World Cup winners Percy Montgomery, BJ Botha and Jean de Villiers were not even considered because of ailments, while overseas-based Butch James, Ashwin Willemse and Gary Botha were not made available by their new European clubs.To add to that, veterans Os du Randt and Bob Skinstad have retired from rugby.The Boks depart for Wales on Friday.Nampa-AFPMatfield is set to join French club Toulon from January 1.His place in the tour party will be taken by the Currie Cup champions’ lock forward, the Central Cheetahs’ Barend Pieterse.It was also announced yesterday that South African skipper John Smit would not be available for the friendly international against the Barbarians at Twickenham on December 1.His place will be filled by the uncapped Western Stormers hooker Tiaan Liebenberg.The Boks’ only test on the short tour – which signals the end of coach Jake White’s time with the team – is next weekend against Wales in Cardiff.They have suffered a number of setbacks in the lead up to the tour with loose forwards Danie Rossouw, Wikus van Heerden and prop Gurthro Steenkamp all withdrawing because of injury.World Cup winners Percy Montgomery, BJ Botha and Jean de Villiers were not even considered because of ailments, while overseas-based Butch James, Ashwin Willemse and Gary Botha were not made available by their new European clubs.To add to that, veterans Os du Randt and Bob Skinstad have retired from rugby.The Boks depart for Wales on Friday.Nampa-AFP
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