Victor Matfield

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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 provincial side and Bulls Super 14 franchise. He stands 2 meters tall and weighs 110 kilograms (6'7", 242 lb). He plays the position of lock.

Matfield is known for his exceptional skill at disrupting opposition line-outs and his speed around the field with Australian coach Eddie Jones once joking that he should be an Olympic sprinter instead. Many consider him the best lock in the world.

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 Highschool. He made it to the Craven Week competition for highschools in two successive years before being selected for Far North's senior provincial team while still in his final year of high school.

After school Matfield went to study at the University of Pretoria where he made the universities under-21 side. It didn't 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. The team got thumped, but Matfield was selected for the 1998 squad regardless.

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 where he had another good year.

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; in the latter year, he made the five-man shortlist for IRB World Player of the Year.

[edit] External links

• Victor Matfield at SARugby.co.za
• Springbok Rugby Hall of Fame profile
• Sunday Times article: Young giant shows old hands he can 'really jol'