Victor Matfield

Infobox Rugby biography
name = Victor Matfield


caption =
birthname = Victor Matfield
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|df=yes|1977|5|11
placeofbirth = Pietersburg, now Polokwane, South Africa
height = height|m=2.00
weight = convert|110|kg|lb|abbr=on
ru_position = lock|capital=yes
ru_amateuryears =
ru_amateurclubs =
ru_amupdate =
ru_nationalteam = South Africa
ru_nationalyears = 2001-
ru_nationalcaps = 66
ru_nationalpoints = (25)
ru_ntupdate = 15 October 2007
ru_clubyears =
ru_proclubs =
ru_clubcaps =
ru_clubpoints =
ru_clubupdate =
super14 = Cats
Bulls
super14years = 1999-2000
2001-
super14caps =
super14points =
ru_currentclub =
super14update = 15 October 2007
ru_province = Griqualand West
Blue Bulls
ru_provinceyears = 1999-2000
2001-
ru_provincecaps =
ru_provincepoints =
ru_provinceupdate =
other = yes
occupation = Professional rugby union footballer
spouse = Monja Bekker
children = 1 daughter (Jaime)
school =
university = University of Pretoria

Victor Matfield (born 11 May 1977 in Pietersburg (now Polokwane), South Africa) is a South African rugby union player for the Springbok rugby team as well as the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup and the Bulls franchise in the Super 14. He is widely regarded as the best lock in the world Fact|date=February 2008 and has had a long successful partnership with Springbok and Blue Bulls teammate Bakkies Botha.

Besides almost always winning his own line-out ball, Matfield is known for his exceptional skill at disrupting opposition line-outs - this skill was a cornerstone of their 2007 World Cup success - and his speed around the field led former Australian coach Eddie Jones to comment that he should be an Olympic sprinter instead. Fact|date=June 2007He also possesses good upper body strength, with the ability to bench press 155kg [cite web|url=http://lifestyle.iafrica.com/hislife/interview/226054.htm|title=Matfield not lost to SA rugby |publisher="News24.com" |date=2007-08-03 |accessdate=2008-07-29] . In 2008 he became the first international captain to beat the All Blacks in New Zealand since Martin Johnson in 2003.

Youth

Growing up Matfield had a love for both rugby and cricket, and even represented Far North Schools in the latter. When an injury affected his batting and bowling he decided to pursue rugby instead and was selected for Far Norths junior Craven Week team before playing lock for Pietersburg High School. He made it to the Craven Week competition for high schools in two successive years before being selected for Far North's senior provincial team while still in his final year of high school. Fact|date=June 2007

Junior rugby career

After school, Matfield went to study at the University of Pretoria where he made the university's under-21 side. Fact|date=June 2007 It did not take long for him to be selected for the Blue Bulls under-21 side as well.

In 1997, Matfield was selected for the under-21 Springbok side captained by Bobby Skinstad. Matfield was also selected for the 1998 squad.

enior rugby career

A big turning point in Matfield's career came when he decided to leave the Blue Bulls for the Griquas in 1999, where he was also selected to represent the Cats in the Super 12 that year. The move allowed him to prove his worth, and in 2000 he was given the opportunity to represent the Bulls Super 12 team.

His hard work did not go unnoticed, and in 2001 he was finally selected for the Springbok squad, making his debut on 30 June 2001 against Italy. Matfield went on to play a major role in the Springboks' renaissance in 2004 and 2005 POV-statement|date=December 2007; in the latter year, he made the five-man shortlist for IRB World Player of the Year.

Matfield was an instant selection for South Africa's 2007 World Cup winning-squad, and won the Man of the Match award in the final for his brilliant work in the line-out and, in a show of fine all-round skill, he even put in a perfect cross-field touch-finding kick!

Matfield had been linked with a move to Leicester Tigers of the English Premiership after the 2007 Rugby World Cup. [cite news |first=Nick |last=Cain |title=Player exodus threatens world order |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby/article1719922.ece |publisher=The Sunday Times |date=2007-04-29 |accessdate=2007-04-30] However, in June 2007, he signed a six-month contract with French second division club Toulon, which he will join on 1 January 2008.cite web|url=http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/Rugby/0,,2-9-838_2158483,00.html |title=Matfield not lost to SA rugby |publisher="News24.com" |date=2007-08-03 |accessdate=2007-08-20] At Toulon, he will join an ambitious side whose president Mourad Boudjellai has signed many veteran superstars for the 2007-08 season, such as nrut|Australian George Gregan, the sport's all-time leader in international appearances; Andrew Mehrtens, the all-time leading scorer for the All Blacks; and, as coach, former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga.

It had recently been revealed that Matfield was considering withdrawing from his contract with Toulon in an attempt to make himself available for a possible offer from The Sharks for the 2008 Super 14. Eventually, he and Umaga came to an agreement that Matfield would play for Toulon in a stretch of nine key fixtures in January and February 2008, and then return to South Africa and play for the Bulls in the 2008 Super 14. Toulon are currently making a strong drive for promotion to the Top 14, and are atop the 2007-08 second division table as of 6 March 2008. As for Matfield, his main concern was reported to be that the South African Rugby Union has not yet decided whether to continue with its recent policy of allowing a limited number of overseas-based players to play for the Springboks.cite news|url=http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/news/matfield-rushing-back-to-bulls/2007/12/18/1197740226687.html |title=Matfield rushing back to Bulls |first=Duncan |last=Johnstone |publisher="Rugby Heaven" |date=2007-12-18 |accessdate=2007-12-19]

Personal life

Victor married Monja Bekker in 2003. They have one daughter, Jaime born at 8.02am on New Year's Day 2006.

References

External links

* [http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Matfield French articles]
*Springboks|id=18988|name=Victor Matfield
* [http://www.genslin.us/bokke/PlayerData.aspx?PlayerID=641 Springbok Rugby Hall of Fame profile]
* [http://www.suntimes.co.za/1999/02/28/sport/rugby/rugby04.htm Sunday Times article: Young giant shows old hands he can 'really jol']
* [http://www.rctoulon.com RC Toulon]