Matfield’s magnetic pull
6 May 2008
Victor Matfield believes a number of elite Springboks could follow his lead and return to play in South Africa in the near future.
Matfield, who joined French second division club Toulon in December 2007, decided to take advantage of a release clause in his contract that came into effect after six months, and rejoin the Bulls. Matfield was one of six World Cup Springboks to take up lucrative European offers after the showpiece event in France in 2007.
Matfield, speaking to keo.co.za from Toulon, said his decision to return to South Africa was heavily influenced by his view that his chances of playing for the Springboks would improve significantly if he was “in the system”. He added that in his discussions with other Springboks it had become clear that many now hold similar views.
“I spoke to Percy [Montgomery] recently and he said he was very keen to come back to South Africa at some stage in the near future. He definitely still wants to play for the Boks,” Matfield said, citing just one such example.
“There are a couple of other guys from the World Cup squad who are in the same situation because they feel it would best serve their chances of playing for the Boks. But that’s a decision they’ll make when the time is right for them. I realised shortly after I got here that I may have made the move a couple of years too early. I still had ambitions with the Bulls and the Springboks and thankfully I’ve got another chance to have a crack at achieving those now.
“I knew that the Bok selectors would be able to follow my progress on television if we gained promotion to the Top 14 [Toulon are currently three points clear at the top of the table with five matches remaining in their season] but it made sense for me to be playing within the South African structures where I could test myself against the best players and in what in my opinion is the best tournament in the world [the Super 14]. I also want to play a mentorship role to youngsters coming through at the Bulls. Other Boks realise the value in that and there are those who are contemplating their futures.”
Matfield said the Springboks’ form in 2008 will be a massive influence on whether elite Europe-based Springboks returned to South Africa. “Everyone wants to be part of a winning team and a winning culture, so if the Boks are going well I think it will be difficult for the guys who were part of that [World Cup] squad but miss out [in 2008] to just be content and stay in Europe.”
Matfield, who also had big money offers from Top 14 clubs Toulouse and Montpellier, as well as Premiership-bound Northampton, revealed that his former Bulls coach, Heyneke Meyer, had been influential in his decision to return to South Africa.
When Meyer applied for the job of Springbok coach he asked Matfield to play in South Africa if he got the job, arguing that it was critical that the country retained it’s best players – of which he said Matfield was the finest. Matfield agreed to the request, but when the South African Rugby Union pushed the election date back to January 9, Matfield could no longer honour his promise as he was contractually obligated to be in Toulon by the start of that month.
“Heyneke stills holds the view that the country’s best players should be playing in South Africa despite not having got the [Springbok] job,” Matfield said. “That played a big part in my decision because I respect him and his views a lot. He also spoke about family values, both with my immediate family and the Bulls family, and how it was important to look after their interests as well as mine. Toulouse was a very appealing option to me because of the style of rugby that they play and the fact that they would offer me the opportunity to play in the Heineken Cup, so I was really considering them seriously.
“But at the end of the day what Heyneke said made sense to me, and that made a difficult decision a little easier.”
The 30-year-old said he met with millionaire Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal last week to discuss his departure. Boudjellal was disappointed to lose him but said he supported whatever decision he made. Matfield said Boudjellal had not sought to keep him in Toulon with an improved contract offer, and also rejected reports that their relationship had been strained during his time at the club.
“I’ll leave on good terms. Those reports are completely false,” he said. “I even spoke to him at length about some of my ideas about how we could improve certain facets of the club and the team. This is a special team with special supporters and if they are promoted to the Top 14 a couple of elite players will join, which will be superb for the club and the city. I’ll do my best to get us there because I want to repay their loyalty in some way.”
The Bulls tied Matfield down to a three-year deal which, he said, will see him end his playing career in Pretoria. Asked why he had eliminated his chances of playing oversees again Matfield explained that he wanted security in his contract and also spoke of his desire to stay involved at the franchise in a coaching capacity once his contract expires.
Matfield was adamant that the union have the structures and calibre of players to be a force in Super Rugby and on the domestic scene in future.
“The fact that they are struggling was a big part of the reason why I wanted to go back,” he said in response to question of why he would return to a union who are besieged by a number of on and off field troubles. “I think I can play a part in turning that situation around.”
By Ryan Vrede
143 Comments
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6 May 2008, 13:32 pm
I am not security guard
Brando,
greratest union in SA..lets not start ok bru?
6 May 2008, 13:36 pm
Does anyone else believe that Bakkies should be excommunicated from the Springboks due to his treachorous ways?
6 May 2008, 13:45 pm
howdy all!
just how big is this bulls family and which inbred cousin gets to play patriarch next?
6 May 2008, 13:49 pm
#101 greatest13gerber: cctv observer = security guard
6 May 2008, 13:50 pm
slow today I see.
6 May 2008, 13:52 pm
# 4 Loosehead. Spot on. I agree. No way HM won’t be back at the Bulls.
6 May 2008, 13:53 pm
wow just shows the depth of relationship Heyneke has with his players..
impressive. You find the same thing amongst say a group of artists going for something new – the individual is mentored to be just that, himself.
Matfield is relaying aspects of the rugby sentiment of old – before professionalism. Rugby was something lived, not just executed. Yes we have very exciting entertainment now, but people like Matfield/Heyneke are keeping the heart in the game. Vodacom is not the greatest supporter of blah blah blah – they ensure spectacle that’s all. It is the players on the ground that should be credited with supporting the supporters.
My next point. Yes we need sponsers money. Fine. But this relentless colonisation of branding into rugby is despicable and sick. Vodacom is a corrupt and bloated corporate blood sucker that is attempting to “own” the heart of the game- the very players and coaches like Matfield etc.. Voda has shown they are corrupt – did anyone try that win a BMW competition? Where you had to send countless R10 sms just to enter? They are the abusive step-father of SA rugby. Sure there are very nice people working for them – but naive of the reality of a corrupt organisation. Voda make it more expensive for the poor to use cells, then the rich. How can one justify that when that is the only source of comunication for many poor SA folk with no Telkom infrastructure?
Folks remember when you don that supporters clothing you are being openly manipulated and ridiculed by a classic corporate behemoth, rather then purely supporting the guys that really matter – the players. I dont mind advertising per se, but anyone would think it was a Vodacom political rally because of the size of their branding of everything. They pour money in – but believe me they are sucking the heart out in return!
6 May 2008, 14:00 pm
Bakkies Botha ‘exclusive’
Article By: Dan NichollMon, 05 May 2008 10:50
Dan: It’s obviously been a difficult time for you, Bakkies…
Bakkies: It has, Dan. I really didn’t want it come to this — courts, lawyers, legal action. It’s been emotionally draining, I’m not sleeping, and time and again I just burst into tears for no apparent reason. But I’m determined to leave and get to France, and this is the only route left open to me.
Dan: Why are you so determined to go? Is it more to get out of Pretoria, or to get to France?
Bakkies: Both, to be honest. Last year’s World Cup was a catalytic experience for me, Dan. Walking down streets in the morning, stopping at a café for coffee and a pain au chocolat, dropping in at a gallery and discovering a surrealist retrospective or an undiscovered young impressionist — Gurthro and I had some magical moments exploring the culture between matches, and I’m absolutely hooked on all things Gallic.
Dan: But you’re also keen to leave Loftus…
Bakkies: Don’t get me wrong here, Dan — I love Pretoria, the people, the place. And I’ve been part of an incredibly special team. But it’s just all become too much, too one-dimensional. I’m sick of team braais after every game — how about a sushi evening, or a fondue with a couple of bottles of lightly wooded chardonnay? I absolutely hate 7 de Laan, but after every single practice, it’s off to the team room, and an excruciating half hour with SABC2. And all Derick has to do during a game is tie his shoelaces, and they start playing Liefling; I absolutely hate that wretched song. I just can’t take it anymore — I need to get out, and Toulon is where I want to be.
Dan: Do you think your team-mates will understand your feelings?
Bakkies: I hope so, Dan, but I’m not sure. To be honest, most of the guys aren’t very good about talking about their feelings. I’ve tried a couple of times on pre-season camps to get everyone together, and speak openly about love, fear, hope, the important things in life. A few candles, some incense sticks, a little Café del Mar playing quietly in the background. But no one except Gurthro ever makes the effort; in minutes they’re all talking about cars, or women, or hunting, which I absolutely abhor. Senseless killing — brings me to the verge of tears just thinking about it.
Dan: So there’s no way back to the Bulls, then?
Bakkies: I don’t think so, Dan. Last year I tried to get the guys to do something different for pre-season team-building — take in a festival, go to the theatre, maybe put on a musical as a squad. A little Gilbert and Sullivan, maybe even some Lloyd Webber; having seen Wynand tackle, he’d have been a perfect Phantom. But what did we end up doing? Monster truck racing, and a night at Pedrie’s place watching old editions of Wrestlemania. With a braai. It’s not me, Dan. I guess I’m just drifting away from them all.
Dan: So it’s off to Toulon, then, if all goes according to plan. Some people have pointed out the irony of you moving to a club that Victor has just quit because of the levels of violence?
Bakkies: I thought that might come up. Look, I don’t have an unblemished record, but it’s never been more than passion for the game spilling over. And that’s exactly what you see in France: passion. Sometimes it’s a little excessive, granted, but I rather that than a game in which everyone isn’t completely involved and dedicated.
Dan: Would you ever bite another player?
Bakkies: No. That was a terrible mistake. After I bit the Australian (Brendan Cannon), I was on rabies jabs, yellow fever medication and TB alert for nearly six months. In and out of hospital in case I’d contracted something from him. Thankfully I was okay — heaven knows what would have happened if I’d bitten someone like Matt Dunning or Owen Finegan — but I learnt a salient lesson.
Dan: Adieu, then, Monsieur Botha. Will we see you back in South Africa again?
Bakkies: Definitely. Gurthro is launching an anthology of poetry later this year, a collection of beautiful, poignant work on life in the front row. Robbie Kempson, CJ van der Linde and James Dalton have all contributed to it, so I’ll be back for that. And I have my final cello exam in Pretoria in November, which would put me at orchestra level. But rugby? Non; je vais finir en France. C’est la vie pour moi maintenant. L’Afrique du Sud? Je l’ai aime, mais maintenant, je dois partir.
6 May 2008, 14:03 pm
#108 pauld: We’ve had this posted yesterday already………. but it’s still good.
Fank joeee
6 May 2008, 14:04 pm
#107 rugby911: was posted yesterday. good stuff, though.
6 May 2008, 14:05 pm
110 was in reply to 108. sorry
6 May 2008, 14:05 pm
humble apologies. was a public holiday in the UK yesaterday so still catching up
6 May 2008, 14:06 pm
pauld – a classic laugh, shot
6 May 2008, 14:15 pm
so the exodus may slow to a trickle locally but nick evans is headed for harlequins.
poor nz.
6 May 2008, 14:17 pm
I think a Bakkies/Bekker combo will be much better than a Matfield/Bekker combo. What do you guys think?
6 May 2008, 14:19 pm
I Fink dervor I Jam !
6 May 2008, 14:36 pm
Pompa,
Bakkies and Matfield are the BEST we had since Moolman and Burger Snr.
Bekker and Muller are our second best combo. But both combos are world’s apart.
6 May 2008, 14:52 pm
#117 greatest13gerber: What about Hannes & Kobus ????
6 May 2008, 15:03 pm
Stew
Kobus and Hannes(ex EP boy) were solid but not in the same league. Hannes really was not a middle of the lineout exponent(he was too static and easy to read by opposition). Kobus was reliable at front of the lineout and poweful in the scrum.
Bakkies/Matfield are far better then these two were at their peak.
6 May 2008, 15:04 pm
Who did Matfield pull?
Some X-men caracter
6 May 2008, 15:24 pm
Wat van Philip Schutte?
6 May 2008, 15:25 pm
Kat
You were really nasty with that bloke yesterday. I think you hurt his feelings
6 May 2008, 15:31 pm
#122 Sheriff: Then he can’t be DaOne. We’ll have to see what the oracle has to say about him.
6 May 2008, 15:58 pm
DaOne’s ramblings were nothing neo, surely?
6 May 2008, 16:01 pm
#124 Harry the beach walker: No, matrix of ’89 I think.
6 May 2008, 16:59 pm
Katman @ 125 – I liked the ramblings of the matrix of ’89. I was kean.U?
6 May 2008, 17:15 pm
Not really. Too much rambling while I was trying to braai – made the fish burn.
6 May 2008, 17:20 pm
Will Big Vic’s magnetic pull bring back Joost, Naas, Thys and Frik?
6 May 2008, 17:44 pm
Katman @ 127 – fish bournes easily. You should have a look at your braai though. Could be something wrong with the dezion.
6 May 2008, 17:54 pm
#129 Harry the beach walker: Apparently there was a glitch.
6 May 2008, 17:58 pm
It was hard to construct the braai. I tried to bolt one piece on and my wife looked at the instructions, laughed and said: No, Mr. Andersom.
6 May 2008, 18:11 pm
#76 greatest13gerber: That Transvaal team that Fitzy feared was a Blue Bulls team in disguise – Uli, Heinrich Rodgers, Hannes Strydom, Sannie Breedt, Theo van Rensburg….
6 May 2008, 18:15 pm
Katman @ 131 – Instructions can be difficult and impossible to decypher. They make me curse, to the extent that I take the names of the Trinity in vain.
If you get it wrong, just reload and try again.
(Andersom is unbeatable)
6 May 2008, 18:30 pm
Katman @ 130 – is your braai a webber? If so, get some assistance from your local AgentS.Myth that they won’t help you.
6 May 2008, 19:20 pm
Matfield not speak with forked tounge. Playing for the Boks the ultimate accolade and hell, we need him, Smit and Butch back.
6 May 2008, 19:24 pm
#116 grootblousmile:
Think you should change your nic to George!
You keep on ‘slaying’ me!
6 May 2008, 19:34 pm
#136 OCO: Hehehe, hello Boetman….
I’ve called George a few times in my life………. mostly near or in “Witbank”…. The White Chair wiff de water in it !
6 May 2008, 20:17 pm
#137 grootblousmile:
So, you were doing Witbank a favour?
I know the dude, called him ‘huey’. head was spinning like a ‘copter at the time
6 May 2008, 21:14 pm
He’s also well known in Brakpan as the Groot Blou Blues Brother.
6 May 2008, 21:23 pm
#139 SodaJoe: Hehehe…….. I’m the glue that keeps Brakpan together !
7 May 2008, 03:34 am
I like to hear that Matfield actually is leaving on good terms from here. I’m also really glad he thinks he needs to repay us by getting us in Top14. We need him more than ever at this stage of the competition.
7 May 2008, 06:04 am
this is fantastic news. it seems the world cup win has really had a positive impact on the desires of south african players.
if what matfield is saying is true it is completely at odds with what is happening in new zealand where players are practically tripping over each other in their haste to get out of here.
7 May 2008, 10:00 am
Now that matfield is officially coming back to loftus,all we need now is ludekak and slaptjips to resign bring HM back and hopefully normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.I wish the vodacom cup team all the best in the final against free state,come on bulls kick their arses all the way back to bloemfontaine.
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