Victor Matfield & Bakkies Botha
Victor Matfield will captain the Springboks in the Castle Lager Incoming Series this month in the absence of the injured Jean de Villiers – and he will lead them out for the first time since his return to rugby in Saturday’s match against a star-studded World XV, sponsored by Samsung, at Newlands (kick off 17:00 SA Time).
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer made the announcement in Cape Town on Tuesday. Matfield, who has played 110 Tests for South Africa, last captained the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2011.
“Victor’s appointment as interim captain is something I thought long and hard about and it wasn’t an easy decision to make,” said Meyer.
“The three candidates we considered, Victor, Bismarck du Plessis and Fourie du Preez, were all very strong options.”
“We’re in a fortunate situation that we have a strong leadership group in the current squad, which includes Victor, Bismarck, Fourie, Bryan Habana, Schalk Burger, Flip van der Merwe, Duane Vermeulen and Francois Louw.”
“It’s only a short-term appointment as Jean will take over as captain again once he’s recovered from his injury. Victor was a logical option – he knows the pressure associated with being Springbok captain as he’s been there before and he has vast captaincy experience at all levels of the game.”
“I also firmly believe Bismarck has improved a lot in this role with the Cell C Sharks and I know he can still lead the Springboks. He’s 100% supportive of Victor and he will remain one of our vice-captains for the season.”
“Victor is someone who has the respect of all the players in our squad, as well as world-wide in rugby. He’s achieved a lot and has always put the team’s interests first, while most of the players in our squad have already played under him.”
Matfield, who has captained the Springboks in 17 Tests earlier in career, said he is very grateful for the trust shown in him by the national coach.
“I’m here to serve the team and would like to make a positive contribution,” said Matfield.
“When I decided to return to playing rugby, my aim was to be good enough to make the Springbok team. I never dreamt of leading the team again and it’s a massive honour.”
“The coach has built a strong core of leaders and I’m fortunate to have guys such as Bismarck, Fourie, Bryan, Duane, Schalk, Flip and Francois alongside me. And we’ll have Jean and Adriaan Strauss back with the team soon, which will add to the depth of leadership.”
Matfield will captain the Springboks in their four matches in June. The vice-captains will be Bismarck du Plessis and Fourie du Preez.
@ MacroBok:
Craptop. I do have adblocker but it’s only an issue on 365.
Not that I have an urge to comment there, I can barely keep up with this site, but I do enjoy browsing for the odd bit of idiocy.
Miss that part of Keo (looking around nervously).
121 @ Stormersboy:
Upgrade to the Latest versions of Adobe Shockwave Player, Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Air and Java Runtime Environment.
That should sort your problems out on rugby365.
Also see to it that you have the latest Firefox…
@ Stormersboy:
adblocker is mostly for popups though? You can try turning that off, but I dont think it will make a big difference.
Besides your not missing much.
@ grootblousmile:
Thank you master Yoda.
@ MacroBok:
I know. It’s just that I don’t like to be left out. I’d prefer it was my decision. 😉
I’m sensitive that way…… 😀
Ok installing random updates. Expect my computer to be taken over by some Russian hacker any minute now…..
@ Stormersboy:
🙂 aren’t we all
@ MacroBok:
Not as much as some on Sharksworld it may seem lol….
125 @ Stormersboy:
Master GBS Yoda knows what’s best for you, oh PC illeterate one…
126 @ Stormersboy:
Windows updates does not do the Adobe or Java stuff… but let it be known that it is good to do the Windows Updates too.
The Adobe updates you will find on the http://www.adobe.com website.
The Java updates are on the http://www.java.com website.
@ grootblousmile:
Oh Ok, good thing since all 5 updates failed.
I’ll do them individually lol
131 @ Stormersboy:
Oh, I forgot to mention, some of the Adobe & Java downloads & Installations want to download & Install Symantec Security Centre, google toolbar & Google Chrome as well… make sure you untick those options!
131 @ Stormersboy:
After running those updates & installations, I would also suggest you go to Control Panel, Programs and Features… look at the list of Programs installed and uninstall any Toolbar (like the google toolbar and some others). Also Uninstall Google Chrome and Symantec Security Centre, if it had already been installed previously.
You know, clean up a bit, for want of a better description…
If you do not know whether to uninstall something, ask here… Yoda will help.
@ grootblousmile:
Thanks for that. Adobe installed. Will do the rest later.
Supper time!
Pollard is looking like a different player to last years JRWC
I always told everyone that the first year will be difficult in pretoria, he just had fun, he probably had his pick of tuks koshuismeisies.
Now he is taking his rugby seriously
Stormersboy wrote:
Be glad, you are lucky.
At least you can’t see HG whine like a little girl and pick fights with his Shark comrades, lol
@ nortierd:
Well I thought I might log in and throw him a boom. You know, just for old times sake.
😀
Patrick Lambie to be next BOK captain!
Young and well spoken.
Can play 10, 12 and 15.
Plays for the top SA franchise (Golden era CC champs) 🙂
Not to shabby looking for the ladies.
Is a Shark!
Grew up in KZN
He has a shiny statue in pumakandla.
So it will be.
@Snoek
Actually, not a bad choice and a very good argument.
But, captaining from the reserve bench might prove a bit of an issue
@Stormersboy
Shame, no boom for him for a while
@139 Snoek
Not to shabby looking for the ladies.
Lol, I know of one man here that also fancies him quite a bit.
He certainly has the attributes, as you mentioned, very good choice indeed
Norty, seriously though.
I just hope Matfield don’t decide to rest himself after the first test
nortierd wrote:
I did mention the shiny statue 😉
People tend to forget that Lambie is still a relative youngster. He still has a good 10 years of rugby in him, injury permitting.
@Snoek
Ha ha, no, he will pull through.
Will say this though, Bismarck shot himself in the foot regarding the captaincy on Saturday.
He was too involved in the off the ball stuff and did himself no favors at all. But I do believe it was always going to be Victor.
I do like your Lambie argument, except for the plays for the top SA franchise and is a Shark bit, but nobodies perfect. 😉
When are we getting our first black Springbok captain?
Wouldn’t that be something.
It could be Luke Wasabi
He will first have to make sure he is first choice, whether at 10 or 12.
Think Jake was trying to prove a point to HM there, proclaiming Lambie is his first choice 10 and will play every minute etc.
Untimely injury messes that up.
Bismark should never have been made captain at the Sharks. His bro Jannie should have.
Snoek wrote:
Puma will nominate Terra 😀
Jannie has good remembering skills. He even remembers what paddy told him 5 years back about binding.
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