Matfield, first lock in 42 years to lead Boks

JOHANNESBURG – Victor Matfield will become the first lock forward in 42 years to captain South Africa on the rugby field when he leads the Springboks into battle against New Zealand tomorrow.

The last time a second row forward captained South Africa was in 1965 when Avril Malan’s Springboks lost 5-8 to Scotland at Murrayfield. Since that day, 22 others have had the honour of leading the South African rugby team.Matfield was on Wednesday named as the new skipper of the Springboks following the unavailability through injury of regular captain John Smit, who has led the Boks in every Test since Jake White took over as coach in June 2004.Matfield took over the captaincy from an injured Smit in the Tri-Nations championship opener against Australia in Cape Town last weekend.”Appointing Victor as captain was the logical choice,” explained White on Wednesday.”He’s just recently led the Bulls franchise to their first Super 14 rugby title and he also led the team last week when John had to leave the field.”Victor’s got a lot of experience having played 57 Tests for South Africa.”Only three players in White’s enlarged Tri-Nations squad have played more Tests than Matfield.Fullback Percy Montgomery leads the way with 83 Tests and he’s followed by Os du Randt (71) and Smit (67).While there was speculation in South Africa leading up to Wednesday’s team announcement just who would be named skipper in Smit’s absence – the names of Bob Skinstad and Gary Botha were mentioned – there was actually always only going to be one man to take charge of the team – Matfield.The 30-year-old is a definite starter in the team and enjoys the respect of all his teammates.He is in a class of his own as a lineout specialist, often being named in rugby pundits’ world dream teams.His 2,01m frame and 115 kg allow him to not only dominate in the line-outs, but to roam the field as an extra loose forward, or outside back, if you like.He has been described by those who’ve come up against him on the rugby fields of the world as an aerodynamic athlete with skills of the highest calibre, but never losing anything in the physicality department.The Bok second-rower, who’ll become his country’s 52nd Test captain, has perfected the art of stealing opposition lineout ball, while effortlessly securing his own.It isn’t simply natural talent though that has made him one of the world’s best.He is known for his meticulous pre-match preparation and apparently spends hours studying the opposition.Born in the northern South African town of Pietersburg (now known as Polokwane) Matfield was a keen cricketer in his youth, but injury halted his progression in the sport in his teenage years.Turning his attention to rugby, Matfield played for the South African U-21 team in 1997 and 1998, before making his senior provincial debut for Griqualand West in 1999.He also debuted for the Golden Cats in that year’s Super 12 competition.A year later he joined the Blue Bulls and in 2001 made his Springbok debut against Italy.In 2005 he was shortlisted for International Rugby Board World Player of the Year.To date he has won three Currie Cup titles and shared one and just over a month ago led the Bulls to their first Super 14 crown.Matfield’s captaincy stood out in the game when, with only two minutes remaining and trailing the Coastal Sharks, got the best out of his players; Bryan Habana’s converted try sealing a one-point win.”Victor is a great captain who knows when to make the right decisions,” said his Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer after the final.”What distinguishes him from other captains is that only the best will do for him.”Nampa-AFPSince that day, 22 others have had the honour of leading the South African rugby team.Matfield was on Wednesday named as the new skipper of the Springboks following the unavailability through injury of regular captain John Smit, who has led the Boks in every Test since Jake White took over as coach in June 2004.Matfield took over the captaincy from an injured Smit in the Tri-Nations championship opener against Australia in Cape Town last weekend.”Appointing Victor as captain was the logical choice,” explained White on Wednesday.”He’s just recently led the Bulls franchise to their first Super 14 rugby title and he also led the team last week when John had to leave the field.”Victor’s got a lot of experience having played 57 Tests for South Africa.”Only three players in White’s enlarged Tri-Nations squad have played more Tests than Matfield.Fullback Percy Montgomery leads the way with 83 Tests and he’s followed by Os du Randt (71) and Smit (67).While there was speculation in South Africa leading up to Wednesday’s team announcement just who would be named skipper in Smit’s absence – the names of Bob Skinstad and Gary Botha were mentioned – there was actually always only going to be one man to take charge of the team – Matfield.The 30-year-old is a definite starter in the team and enjoys the respect of all his teammates.He is in a class of his own as a lineout specialist, often being named in rugby pundits’ world dream teams.His 2,01m frame and 115 kg allow him to not only dominate in the line-outs, but to roam the field as an extra loose forward, or outside back, if you like.He has been described by those who’ve come up against him on the rugby fields of the world as an aerodynamic athlete with skills of the highest calibre, but never losing anything in the physicality department.The Bok second-rower, who’ll become his country’s 52nd Test captain, has perfected the art of stealing opposition lineout ball, while effortlessly securing his own.It isn’t simply natural talent though that has made him one of the world’s best.He is known for his meticulous pre-match preparation and apparently spends hours studying the opposition.Born in the northern South African town of Pietersburg (now known as Polokwane) Matfield was a keen cricketer in his youth, but injury halted his progression in the sport in his teenage years.Turning his attention to rugby, Matfield played for the South African U-21 team in 1997 and 1998, before making his senior provincial debut for Griqualand West in 1999.He also debuted for the Golden Cats in that year’s Super 12 competition.A year later he joined the Blue Bulls and in 2001 made his Springbok debut against Italy.In 2005 he was shortlisted for International Rugby Board World Player of the Year.To date he has won three Currie Cup titles and shared one and just over a month ago led the Bulls to their first Super 14 crown.Matfield’s captaincy stood out in the game when, with only two minutes remaining and trailing the Coastal Sharks, got the best out of his players; Bryan Habana’s converted try sealing a one-point win.”Victor is a great captain who knows when to make the right decisions,” said his Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer after the final.”What distinguishes him from other captains is that only the best will do for him.”Nampa-AFP