Victor Matfield praises Springboks for beating Australia with ‘South African DNA’
Victor Matfield has hailed Rassie Erasmus' side for defeating Australia with 'South African DNA' in the Rugby Championship.
Ex-Springboks captain Victor Matfield has hailed Rassie Erasmus’ side for defeating Australia with ‘South African DNA’.
The Boks secured just their second win over the Wallabies in Brisbane, claiming a 33-7 victory in Round One of the Rugby Championship, and while much of the praise has gone to the team’s improved attack, Matfield believes that they won the game in classic Springbok style.
Historically, the Springboks are renowned for their ability at the set-pieces, particularly in the scrums and maul, with Matfield playing a huge role in that during his 127 Test caps.
Victor Matfield on the Springboks’ lineout moves
However, the maul has been less effective recently with teams figuring out ways to stop the Springboks from powering forward, but it was a different case in Brisbane as South Africa managed to grab their opening try through a trick play.
Back-rower Ben-Jason Dixon collected the ball at the back of the lineout with Eben Etzebeth jumping in a separate pod and front. Dixon popped the ball to Etzebeth in the air with the latter then setting the maul that caught the Wallabies by surprise and led to Siya Kolisi diving over the line with the ball in hand.
Later in the match, the Springboks would attempt a variation on the play which almost resulted in a try for Malcolm Marx but he was denied by a sharp Jake Gordon tackle.
While reviewing the match on Supersport’s Final Whistle show, Matfield hailed the set plays from the Springboks and explained that it would also have an impact on the next encounter between the two sides.
“The mauls weren’t very good against Ireland,” the former lock stated.
“But we beat Australia with South African DNA, we won the scrums, our maul worked and we won the territory.
“Ireland were very good at stopping us straight on so [against the Wallabies] we threw to the back and popped to the front and we scored.
“The next lineout we did the same and instead of mauling it we peeled off.”
Still can't stop watching this…😍 pic.twitter.com/U9pQntMbpF
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) August 11, 2024
The innovative play from the Springboks clearly impressed Matfield, who is currently employed as Japan’s lineout coach, as he explained that the side also smartly threw Etzebeth up in the air instead of receiving the ball on the ground despite the latter being quicker.
“They were smart, they go up in the air in the front because that way the Australians cannot play catcher until he comes to the ground and the pass [to Etzebeth] is less obstructed,” he explained.
“It was a surprise, didn’t expect it. It is always better to stay on the ground because it is quicker but going up in this case was sharp.”
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Los Pumas catch the All Blacks napping
The Springboks and Pumas really treated us with some lineout variations this weekend. 🤤 pic.twitter.com/wOc93edIqI
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) August 12, 2024
Matfield pointed to one of Argentina’s tries in their victory over the All Blacks where staying on the ground was a better option.
“We saw with Argentina, they dummy jumped and they went to the player on the ground and punched through,” he said.
“On the ground is always quicker but, with us going to the back and then shifting it to the front was excellent, the opposition are not allowed to touch you.
“Now, for the next match, they can’t put all their players to the back because they need to keep guys in the front and now all of a sudden we have opened up a lot of options too.”
