Toulon’s locked on to Vic

Toulon’s locked on to Vic

13 Feb 2008

Victor Matfield’s popularity in Toulon makes his status in Pretoria look silly. And Bakkies Botha is not far behind.

To say Matfield is worshipped in the quiet French city would be an understatement. Matfield is a religion – one that has attracted thousands of disciples in the two months he’s been in Toulon.

On Tuesday morning about 50 Toulon supporters gathered at the club’s training ground (around 5km from their home ground, Stade Mayol) to watch their deity practice alongside legends like George Gregan, Andrew Merhtens, Anton Oliver and head coach, Tana Umaga. By the afternoon session that number had swelled to close on to 200 (I’m told that the captain’s run on Friday’s attracts around 1 000 spectators), all discussing one thing – the impact Matfield has made since his arrival.

Matfield took just two minutes into his debut to capture the hearts of the Toulon faithful, stealing a lineout in his 22 then proving to be a secure target for Oliver to aim at. Five minutes later he was dragged down 30cm from the tryline.

“If he had scored from that try the stadium would have cracked in half because of the noise the fans would have made,” Patrick Fornet, president of the Toulon supporters club told keo.co.za.

“Matfield has been an absolute star for us. Here in Toulon, Matfield is God.”

But even “God” isn’t resting on his laurels. Matfield’s work ethic in the practice sessions was outstanding, and his conditioning is not in question. He consistently beat the loose forwards in 40m sprints and as always was at the head of the pack in repeat 80m brisk runs. His team-mates report that his gym work is brilliant.

Matfield looks at home in this environment, and has taken to his new-found fame with consummate ease. He gladly indulges those fans who wait for hours just to get close to him after practice, signing autographs and posing for photographs. Afterwards the fans always have the same question for him: “When is Bakkies coming?”

A fortnight ago keo.co.za reported that Toulon had expressed an interest in signing Matfield’s Springbok blood brother. The Bulls said then that they were reluctant to release him but acknowledged that Toulon, backed by billionaire president Mourad Boudjellal, had the financial resources to buy out his contract (with four years to run, Toulon will have to pay around R10 million to lure Botha to the south of France).

The Bulls on Monday said they would refuse to release Botha, but a source close to Toulon has told keo.co.za that Botha has already signed a pre-contract. An intent to join if you like.

Matfield, who spoke to Botha on Tuesday about the rumours that he’ll join, was reluctant to offer details of their conversation, saying: “ I never called Bakkies to convince him to come here. He will make the decision after careful consideration and it’s not my place to pressure him into a decision.”

Botha is sure to be offered a generous salary. Matfield is reported to be on multi-million rand deal and Botha is sure to be appraised similarly.

The talk about Botha is incessant. “He is a warrior, the type of player we love here at Toulon,” Fornet said.

“When we see a player like him, it’s like he was born to play here. When he comes, it’ll be a big piece in the puzzle in place. The important thing then is that we have him and Matfield playing in the same team, not just one of them.”

It is yet uncertain whether Matfield will return to the Bulls in mid-March. His contract has a escape clause that will allow him to leave should he choose to do so. At present he is uncertain about what to do, but admits to missing the hype in the build-up to the Super 14, especially since the Bulls take on an old foe this weekend.

“Bulls versus Stormers are the kinds of games I live for,” he said. “To miss it is killing me but I guess that’s the trade off you make when signing for a European club.

“The Stormers will probably feel it’s their best chance to beat us … [he pauses]… when I say “us” it shows that I’m still a Bulls boy at heart. Anyway, they’ll feel they are in with a chance, especially since they’re at home. Look out for [former Bulls lock] Adriaan Fondse. He’s a class act and will have something to prove. But the Bulls have a really good squad and I’m sure they’ll do well.

“I’ve got Kudu Club, though, so I’ll get to watch it. I wouldn’t miss it for anything in the world.”

By Ryan Vrede in Toulon, France


108 Comments

Pages: « 1 [2] 3 » Show All

  • 51.blueboy: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 11:42 am

    To ruck#17 you are indeed a fecking stormer but keep that to yourself as it sounds like you have a mental health issue.I am sure there must be a therapist you can talk to about your problem ,and i hope they find a cure for you.I hear there are some good therapists in pretoria the home of the super14 cup but then again maybe you are incureable.MY BLOED IS BLOU.

  • 52.Mistral: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 11:48 am

    Do the muppits have a virtual league this S14? If so what and where.

    Thanks to anyone who can help.

  • 53.Green Machine: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 11:48 am

    #51 I hope they can find a cure for that awful disease you have! Blue blood? Wow! Not enough oxygen I guess…

  • 54.Desert Stormer: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 11:49 am

    #1 Ruck – that is the funniest thing I have read in a long while.

    I nearly burst

  • 55.THE MAULER: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 11:50 am

    13 Sharks lover

    The Tongan is in Japan and is only expected here in March!

  • 56.Desert Stormer: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 11:51 am

    52.
    Mistral they have a muppet league on testrugby dot com

  • 57.AB - RUGBY SUPPORTERS VOICE: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 11:56 am

    Couzy my ou maat baie geluk aan julle drietjies!!!
    Maar smaak my jy sukkel met die swys ding, brand net gate!! ;-)

  • 58.SA-Eddie: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 11:59 am

    Cant wait to see the sharks klap the stormers and bulls…should be fun to read the comments from the fans then ^^

  • 59.Biscuit: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:02 pm

    Tacitus

    When the overseas announcements started happening last year the 1st few came out of the Sharks and other non-Bulls camps. (I have a long memory)

    You treated the news with some glee and said that it was the Engelse souties (I paraphrase) ducking and no Afrikaans speaking Bull would desert.

    Of course a week later Gary Botha signed and rumours of Matfield broke.

    Therefore your views appear to be inconsistent?
    Or is it only fundamentally wrong for Bulls to leave? Strange fundamentals.

    I agree something needs to be done but we cannot do it alone.
    Our only hope is the IRB capping the number of foreign players in a side.
    That is very tricky in Europe because Europeans have freedom to work anywhere in Europe.

    Cheers

  • 60.sondebok: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:03 pm

    Dagse Mense! What with all this talk about the super 14 starting this weekend, we`re forgetting the real issue here, the Sports Illustrated Fantasy League!!! My team (Menace to Sobriety)will never fall down first or spill their drinks. Aside from that, STORMERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRS!!!!!!!

  • 61.Green Machine: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:05 pm

    #59 Eddie Jones,

    Chill out. The Sharks will mostly choke. Then the Blou Bloeds and the Rucks will come out in force! Not Western…

  • 62.BuckT: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:06 pm

    ruck katman, no luck here either, bod might have to watch from the pub…

    if toulon get promoted into the first division, do they form part of the heinekin cup, or how does it work?

  • 63.Rugby_Princess: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:10 pm

    Ms Ruck

    Bertie has a ticket – Bod should be kinder to him :lol:

  • 64.princess: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:10 pm

    What is it with you guys and Victor!!!!!!!!!!! He is playing for a 2nd division team

  • 65.katman: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:13 pm

    Buck, did you actually drop a hint with your wife to sacrifice her ticket?

  • 66.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:14 pm

    :lol: princess

  • 67.katman: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:15 pm

    If Toulon get promoted to the first division, will they then be restricted to two (?) foreign players in their squad / match 22?

  • 68.katman: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:16 pm

    64 – Just like he always has.

  • 69.allesisblou: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:18 pm

    #68 katman

    If they do they’ll be in the kak because the whole team’s foreign

  • 70.allesisblou: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:19 pm

    #69 If Victor was always playing for a second div team what division you recon the lions are in?

  • 71.katman: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:21 pm

    Lions are bubbling under. Next big thing. Watch this space.

  • 72.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:22 pm

    lol allesisblou

  • 73.allesisblou: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:23 pm

    72 Next best thing since the stormers – lol

  • 74.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:23 pm

    from the warmup match vs the sharks, i’d say the lions are right up there with the mighty elephants!

  • 75.allesisblou: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:25 pm

    lmoa

  • 76.allesisblou: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:25 pm

    *lmao

  • 77.JL1: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:27 pm

    #74

    mighty

    hahahahahahaha

    Nothing mighty about that bunch of clowns

  • 78.katman: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:28 pm

    75 – Lag my ‘ôl af?

  • 79.allesisblou: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:32 pm

    79 s̻ maar so Рdis eintlik lmga

  • 80.c4: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:32 pm

    Testrugby . com

    Is a good virtual rugga site, get into trouble with my girlfriend cos I get so involved in it….

  • 81.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:32 pm

    katman
    serious question. whats the breakdown f wins/losses in superrugby games between the sharks and lions/cats? i have no idea and wikipietman and wptid are nowhere at the mo.

  • 82.JL1: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:32 pm

    Keo and co

    Great articles, really beats the “rent-a-quote” rubbish that we have had to deal with

    Tacitus

    Soon Supersport will broadcast Top 14 games from France then you can put your Ge Korsten and Steve Hofmeyer CD’s on watch the best of the best play. As this is only the start. The total package is looking better every year and old Vic can even watch Kudu Club beacuse he has electricity ;)

  • 83.katman: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:35 pm

    81 – Don’t know, Rangerman. All I know is they are kak scared of us.

  • 84.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:37 pm

    lol katman!
    i only ask because my swaer is getting a little jumpy at the moment. he is staying in durbs and seems a little bleak at the moment.

  • 85.Green Machine: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:37 pm

    Katman, look at this: :-)

    Does that look familiar to you? Maybe an E pill? Coz you’re dillusional mate!

  • 86.katman: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:40 pm

    Probably just the side effects of a potent vindaloo, Rangerman. I’d tell your swaer to take the sport section to the john for a good half hour and then sleep it off.

  • 87.BuckT: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:43 pm

    alles is blou kom mandag!

  • 88.katman: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:43 pm

    Ditto, Green Machine: :-0

    (yours was a suppository)

  • 89.katman: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:43 pm

    Fark, that didn’t work.

  • 90.BuckT: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:44 pm

    katman – i did, she wouldn’t budge…

  • 91.CUZZY - Rugby Supporters Voice: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:46 pm

    Haaalllooo Almal,

    Wil net laat weet dat als goed gegaan het met mammie en die babatjie.

    Baie dankie vir almal se wense en voorspoed, ons het dit na aan ons harte gesit!!!!!!

    GO BULLS!!!!!!

  • 92.allesisblou: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:46 pm

    Sal hier wees maandag

  • 93.CUZZY - Rugby Supporters Voice: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:53 pm

    Mirag allesisblou!!!

    Kan nie wag dat die S14 begin die swaer…

  • 94.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 12:56 pm

    hey cuz!!!!!
    are congrats in order?

  • 95.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 13:00 pm

    oops! sorry cuz, i see your post above now.
    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 96.Green Machine: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 13:00 pm

    ;-) :-) :-D are the only 3 smileys I’ve figured out on Keo. Weird. Thanks for the suppository Katman. It’ll take the pain away from S14 final 2007.

    *SIGH*

  • 97.BuckT: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 13:13 pm

    congrats cuzz, is it a boy or a girl?

  • 98.wallabie.: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 13:15 pm

    Cuzzy

    To put ‘hostilities’ aside for now.

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

    There is nothing more exhilerating than being a Dad for the first time.

    well done…you will enjoy regardless of the late nights.

  • 99.katman: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 13:17 pm

    90 – Buck, risky move there. Careful.

  • 100.BlueBlood: Reply to this comment
    13 Feb 2008, 13:47 pm

    Those frenchies have got big bucks.

    This doesn’t bode well for our game. If these okes can buy out a contract they can pretty much suck our teams dry.

    And Toulon is second div. by the way.

    HKGK.

Pages: « 1 [2] 3 » Show All

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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