Victor Matfield

Springbok lock Victor Matfield will join the Northampton Saints on a 1-year deal at the end of this year’s Rugby World Cup.

Matfield, who at the age of 38 captained the Springboks earlier this year against Australia and Argentina, will join up with the British club for a swansong to end his career after the Springboks conclude their Rugby World Cup commitments.

He has been released from his coaching contract by mutual agreement by the Blue Bulls Company, after requesting a release earlier this week.

South Africa’s most capped Springbok and Rugby World Cup squad member, Matfield, is widely seen as possibly the greatest lock ever to play the game, and has been capped 123 times for the Springboks as he heads into his 4th Rugby World Cup.

Matfield has also led the Vodacom Bulls to 3 Vodacom Super Rugby titles and has also won 3 ABSA Currie Cup titles as well.

Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder says that Matfield will bring a wealth of experience to Franklin’s Gardens.

“Victor is 1 of the outstanding forwards in world rugby,” he said in a team release. “He has been at the top of the game for well over a decade now and his selection by South Africa for a 4th consecutive Rugby World Cup shows that he remains a force to be reckoned with.

“We’re very much looking forward to Victor joining up with the squad and believe he has a lot to offer the club, not only on the field, but also off it in terms of his leadership qualities and experience.”

Matfield is also looking forward to a new challenge.

“It is an honour for me to join the Northampton Saints,” he said. “7 Years ago Saints very nearly became my rugby home and I feel privileged to be given another opportunity to join the club.

“I join Saints to make the best contribution I possibly can and I have a genuine desire to hopefully play an instrumental role in a team effort, with the aim of lifting silverware in both the Aviva Premiership and the European Rugby Champions Cup.

“For now I will focus only on the Springboks’ campaign to win the Rugby World Cup but I am very excited about the journey with Saints from November onwards.”