Victor Matfield: Everything you need to know about the Springbok legend

David Skippers 20 Jun 2023 5:03 AM

Blessed with plenty of athleticism and a lynchpin in the lineouts, Victor Matfield is renowned as one of international rugby’s best ever second-row forwards.

The remarkable thing about Matfield is his longevity as his senior professional career started in 1998 and although he initially retired after the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, he was persuaded to return to action in 2014 by then-Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer with an eye on the global showpiece in England the following year.

He made a successful comeback and was in South Africa‘s squad at the 2015 tournament, and although they bowed out in the semi-finals, Matfield will always be remembered for playing a leading role when the Boks won the 2007 World Cup in France.

Player background

Matfield was born and raised in Pietersburg (now Polokwane), South Africa, and initially played both rugby and cricket during his formative years. He represented the Far North province at cricket but gave up that sport due to an injury which hampered his batting and bowling.

He then concentrated exclusively on rugby and was selected for Far North’s junior Craven Week side before playing lock for Pietersburg High School. During his high school career, Matfield also represented Far North at the senior Craven Week for two successive years.

After high school, he furthered his studies at the University of Pretoria where he continued playing rugby and he was soon called up to the Blue Bulls U21 side. He shone in that team and was also included in South Africa’s U21 national team in 1997 and 1998.

Club career

He made his senior debut for the Blue Bulls in 1998 in the Vodacom Cup and he represented them in seven matches in that competition before joining Griquas the following year. Matfield represented Griquas in the Vodacom Cup and the Currie Cup tournaments in 1999 and he also made his Super Rugby debut for the Cats that year.

He continued to play for Griquas and the Cats in 2000 and also represented South Africa at U23 level that year before returning to the Blue Bulls in 2001. He helped them win the Currie Cup in 2002, 2003 and 2004 and was also part of the team which shared that trophy with Free State in 2006.

A tribute to one of the greatest to ever play the game: Victor Matfield 💪🔥#BullsFamily pic.twitter.com/Q75kIxiofT

— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) August 24, 2020

Matfield left the Bulls in 2008 to join French club Toulon and had a six-month stint there before returning to South Africa later that year and won his last Currie Cup with them in 2009. In 2007, he was also part of the Bulls team which won their first Super Rugby title and he also featured prominently when they won that tournament in 2009 and 2010 as well.

He initially hung up his boots at the end of 2011 before coming out of retirement with the Bulls in 2014. He played for the Pretoria-based side for two seasons before joining Premiership outfit Northampton Saints for the 2015/16 season, but eventually retired for good in 2016 at the age of 39.

International career

Matfield was first selected for South Africa at the end of 2000 for their end-of-year tour to Argentina and the United Kingdom. However, he only played in midweek matches on that trip and had to wait until June 30, 2001 for his Test debut – against Italy in Port Elizabeth. Matfield soon became a fixture in the Springbok team and played at his first Rugby World Cup in 2003 and was also part of the victorious Bok squad that won the Tri-Nations in 2004.

In 2007, the 2.01 metre lock captained South Africa for the first time – a Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand in Durban – a feat which he would go on to do 21 times during his Test career. Later in 2007, Matfield was a vital cog during the Springboks’ victorious campaign at the Rugby World Cup in France and he was named as the official man of the match in their 15-6 victory over England in the final.

"Los forwards de los Springboks marcan la diferencia con su físico"

Victor Matfield:pic.twitter.com/V0klsOggwR

— Periodismo Rugby (@Perrugby) August 24, 2022

Matfield continued playing for South Africa and helped them win the Tri-Nations in 2009 and was part of the Boks’ squad at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand where they were knocked out by Australia in the quarter-finals.

He announced his retirement after that tournament but returned to the game in 2014 and was part of South Africa’s squad at the 2015 World Cup in England where they bowed out to eventual tournament winners New Zealand in the semi-finals. After that competition, Matfield retired again as his country’s most capped player with 127 caps.

Personal life

The former Springbok works as a commentator and analyst for Supersport. He is married to Monja Bekker. The couple have three daughters: Tassie, Giselle and Jaime.