While the limelight was on other Springboks like Fourie du Preez, undoubtedly the planets best rugby player in 2009 (IRB panel sucks), John Smit breaking the World Record as captain, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn and Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield quietly achieved the Big double as captain, winning the Super14 and Currie Cup as Captain. This weekends match against the All Blacks was the cherry on top of it all for our unsung hero.
“Matfield said he would cherish the week he had spent as captain of the international selection. “It’s an amazing feeling. This whole week we heard about the tradition of Baa-Baas’ rugby and we watched a bit of that game [from 1973].
“It’s just amazing – to be part of something like this is just awesome. The guys are very happy.
“We said before the match it was one of the best week’s we’ve had as professional rugby players, having a lot of fun getting to know each other,” Matfield said. “Then the guys went out and played like professionals. They put their bodies on the line to play for the traditions the Baa-Baas stand for.”
While the match was a pleasing spectacle, Matfield left no doubt the chief aim had been to win rather than entertain.
“If there had been a penalty in front of the posts in the first minute, we would have probably taken it, because we wanted to win the game.” Habana shared similar sentiments after single-handedly dismantling the tourists’ perfect defensive record”
Victor I cant remember any games where you sat out this year, maybe the one after your return from New Zealand after the Tri Nations against the Leopards. Bakkies was rested after 50 – 60 minutes in most games, you fought on the whole game in true gladiator style. Some Springbok supporters are worried when John Smit is not on the field as captain, your record is just as good and your decision making is spot on.
The day you decided to leave the big Euros for your beloved Blue Bulls team you rose to legend status for Bulls supporters and most other Springbok supporters.
Thank you for everything you gave South African rugby this year. The pleasure you had in leading this star studded Barbarian team to victory against the All Blacks is a perfect gift to our Unsung Hero.
Hope they give you a proper break, but knowing you , i wont be surprised if you are there at the start of the new Super 14 season.
Hoor Hoor Jan
Victorious Vic can stand tall amongst the men mentioned above. He and JS have the same drive, we are so lucky to have a captain and vice with this status.
Must say a word too about Habana.
WP it is clear we send you a top conditioned sports Ferrari , lets see what happens to him down there in the Cape.
Hope we dont meet him in this mood wen we play each other.
I know we lost a big one there, good luck Habana.
Hope the baby is well and keep you out of sleep before the next Bulls game 😆 o no its to late babies take 9 months, and we meet again in 6 months time.
Job calls , bye for now
Guess Victor isn`t an UNSUNG Hero anymore.
2 – Super, Agree. Victor is just as important to the Bok team as John we need to look after both of them if they are to make it to the wc 2011.
Which other team in world rugby have two great captains in their side? None that I know of. South Africa should be very proud of John and Victor. Two of the best.
Well said Super. Cheers Victor, you made us proud!
A lot of the SA Supporters, mostly Anti-Bulls supporters, underestimate Victor Matfield’s abilities as a captain…
Victor now boasts 2 wins against the All Blacks away from SA as captain of a team… there was the win in NZ when John Smit was unavailable and now the win with the Baabaas.
Looking at the wins of the Super 14 (2007 & 2009) where he was captain as well and the Currie Cup this year, Victor is building up a record as captain which is fast becomming quite substantial!
Go rest well Victor, we want you refreshed and ready for action for 2010, both for the Bokke and the Bulls.
Yes, people take Victor for granted.
He is the king of the line out in world rugby, a great lock forward and captain.
Like all great players he makes it look easy and that is why he sometimes does not get the credit he deserves.
We need him next year and will only fully appreciate him when we no longer have him.
I just think Matfield is past it. He is becoming less and less evident on the field…only good for the line outs and those wheels is falling off.
10@ Walla – …. says Walla, hoping with his whole heart…. hehehe
He’ll be fresh again next year to torment you guys…. watch this space…
Oh, and by the way, have you actually seen how many tackles Matfield puts in, in one game? There is plenty left in Vic, man!
As a non-Bulls supporter, and in defference to Wallabie, it seems to me as if Victor has been at the top of his game for longer than any other international lock forward.
Manty come onto the scene, make an impact, and succumb to the rigours of a tough position coupled with injury.
Victor seems to be able to continue though.
Now if only we could get him into a red and white jersey!
Is dit net ek wat agtergekom het dat die AllBlack span teen die BaaBaas nie hul sterkste span was nie?? hehehe
Na die game teen die Iere waar ons ‘n hele paar lynstane verloor het is ek nie meer so seker oor Victor nie… As ek reg onthou het hy ‘n baie belangrike lynstaan teen die Franse ook verloor. Hoop regtig nie sy dae as nr een slot innie wereld is besig om tot ‘n einde te kom nie.
10
Walla we like his game as it is, we do not want him more visible on the wing or center.
Ja KP dis so hy het n paar gemis , maar redes is daar ook voor. Die Franse skare was fanaties en die roep was nie mooi gekomunikeer nie. Daai was nogal crucial.
Teen die Iere , dit sal n wake up call vir hom wees, hy moenie dink die ander spanne bestudeer nie ook ons lynstaan nie. Great van Gert Smal om daai Iere ons taal te leer, die boks.
Matfield and Bakkies were voted ‘World players of the Year’ in the French news paper Midi Olympique in Paris.
Two best lock pairing in world rugby. Proud of both of them.
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