View source for Victor Matfield

{{Short description|South Africa international rugby union player}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}

{{Infobox rugby union biography
|           name = Victor Matfield
|          image = Victor Matfield (cropped).jpg
|       fullname = <!--if different-->
|        caption = Matfield in June 2006
|     birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|05|11|df=y}}
|    birth_place = [[Polokwane|Pietersburg, South Africa]] (now [[Polokwane, South Africa]]) 
|         height = {{height|m=2.01}}
|         weight = {{convert|117|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}
|       nickname = 
|     occupation = 
|         school = Hoërskool Pietersburg 
|     university = [[University of Pretoria]]
|       children = 4
|      relatives = 
|       position = [[Lock (rugby union)|Lock]]
|    youthyears1 = 1994–1995
|    youthclubs1 = {{Rut|Far North}}
|         years1 = 1998, 2001–2002,<br/> 2004–2005, 2008–2010
|         clubs1 = {{Rut|Blue Bulls}}
|          apps1 = 54
|        points1 = 25
|         years2 = 1999–2000
|         clubs2 = {{Rut|Griquas}}
|          apps2 = 36
|        points2 = 40
|         years3 = 1999–2000
|         clubs3 = {{Rut|Cats}}
|          apps3 = 8
|        points3 = 0
|         years4 = 2001–2007, 2009–2011,<br> 2014–2015
|         clubs4 = {{Rut|Bulls}}
|          apps4 = 140
|        points4 = 40
|         years5 = 2007–2008
|         clubs5 = {{Rut|Toulon}}
|          apps5 = 15
|        points5 = 5
|         years6 = 2015–2016
|         clubs6 = [[Northampton Saints]]
|          apps6 = 17
|        points6 = 0
|     totalyears = 1998–2016
|      totalapps = 253
|    totalpoints = 110
|      repyears1 = 1995
|       repteam1 = S.A. Academy
|       repcaps1 = 
|     reppoints1 = 
|      repyears2 = 1997–1998
|       repteam2 = South Africa Under-21
|       repcaps2 = 8
|     reppoints2 = 5
|      repyears3 = 2000
|       repteam3 = S.A. Under-23
|       repcaps3 = 5
|     reppoints3 = 5
|      repyears4 = 2001–2015
|       repteam4 = {{nrut|South Africa}} ''(tests)''
|       repcaps4 = 127
|     reppoints4 = 35
|      repyears5 = 2000–2011
|       repteam5 = {{nrut|South Africa}} ''(tour)'' {{efn|name=Appearances|In addition to playing in [[test match (rugby union)|test matches]], Matfield featured in six non-test matches for South Africa.<ref name="South African Rugby Annual 2018">{{cite book | title=South African Rugby Annual 2018 | publisher=South African Rugby Union | year=2018 | pages=61–62 | isbn=978-0-620-78461-0}}</ref> Four of these were international tour matches played between 2000 and 2011, and in 2014<ref name="South African Rugby Annual 2015">{{cite book | title=South African Rugby Annual 2015 | publisher=South African Rugby Union | year=2015 | pages=104 | isbn=978-0-620-62087-1}}</ref> and 2015,<ref name="South African Rugby Annual 2016">{{cite book | title=South African Rugby Annual 2016 | publisher=South African Rugby Union | year=2016 | pages=124–125 | isbn=978-0-620-69290-8}}</ref> he played in matches against a [[World XV]] in Cape Town. These matches have an equivalent status to international tour matches, but were played on home soil.<ref name="South African Rugby Annual 2018"/>}}
|       repcaps5 = 4
|     reppoints5 = 0
|      repyears6 = 2002
|       repteam6 = S.A. 'A'
|       repcaps6 = 1
|     reppoints6 = 0
|      repyears9 = 2014–2015
|       repteam9 = Springboks {{efn|name=Appearances}}
|       repcaps9 = 2
|     reppoints9 = 0
|     clubupdate = 13 June 2015
|      repupdate = 30 October 2015
|         medals = 
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Rugby union]]}} 
{{MedalCountry|{{ru|RSA}}}} 
{{MedalCompetition|[[Rugby World Cup]]}} 
{{MedalGold|[[2007 Rugby World Cup|2007 France]]|[[2007 Rugby World Cup squads|Squad]]}} 
{{MedalBronze|[[2015 Rugby World Cup|2015 England]]|[[2015 Rugby World Cup squads|Squad]]}} 
}}
'''Victor Matfield''' (born 11 May 1977) is a South African former professional [[rugby union]] player. He played for and [[South African rugby union captains|captained]] the [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]] national team (Springboks) as well as the [[Blue Bulls]] in the [[Currie Cup]] and the [[Bulls (rugby union)|Bulls]] franchise in [[Super Rugby]]. He is generally considered one of the best [[Lock (rugby union)|lock]]s to have ever played for South Africa<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16016_5652114,00.html |title=The greatest: Number five lock |publisher=PlanetRugby.com |date=26 October 2009 |access-date=26 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028021322/http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16016_5652114,00.html |archive-date=28 October 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and had a long successful partnership with Springbok and Blue Bulls teammate [[Bakkies Botha]].

Matfield was known for his success at disrupting opposition [[line-out (rugby union)|line-out]]s – this skill was a cornerstone of their 2007 World Cup success, where he was crowned IRB (International Rugby Board) player of the Rugby World Cup. In 2008 he captained the first team to beat the [[All Blacks]] in New Zealand since England in 2003. Matfield initially retired after the 2011 World Cup, leaving the game as the record Springbok cap holder, but returned after a two-year hiatus, signing a two-year playing contract with the Bulls for 2014 and 2015.<ref name="Matfield to join Vodacom Bulls playing squad">{{cite press release | url=http://thebulls.co.za/news/2014/01/31/matfield/ | title=Matfield to join Vodacom Bulls playing squad | publisher=Bulls | date=31 January 2014 | access-date=31 January 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202161828/http://thebulls.co.za/news/2014/01/31/matfield/ | archive-date=2 February 2014 }}</ref>

==Early life==
Born on 11 May 1977 in [[Pietersburg]] (now Polokwane), South Africa, Matfield grew up with 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 North's junior [[Craven Week]] team before playing lock for Hoërskool Pietersburg. He made it to the Craven Week competition for high schools in two successive years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportsbrief.com/rugby/59071-get-victor-matfield-south-african-rugby-player/|title=Victor Matfield, Sports Brief|access-date=July 16, 2024|website=SportsBrief}}</ref>

==Junior rugby career==
After school, Matfield went to study at the [[University of Pretoria]] where he made the university's under-21 side.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.whoswhosa.co.za/victor-matfield-4586|title=Who's Who of Southern Africa|website=whoswhosa.co.za|access-date=2018-01-11}}</ref> 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.

==Senior rugby career==
[[File:Line up Lions Bulls.jpg|thumb|190px|Matfield (''right'') winning a line-out against the Lions]]
A big turning point in Matfield's career came when he decided to leave the Blue Bulls for the [[Griquas (rugby)|Griquas]] in 1999, where he was also selected to represent the [[Lions (Super rugby franchise)|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 national rugby union team|Italy]]. Matfield went on to help the Springboks' renaissance in 2004 and 2005; in the latter year, he made the five-man shortlist for [[International Rugby Board|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.

Matfield had been linked with a move to [[Leicester Tigers]] of the [[Guinness Premiership|English Premiership]] after the [[2007 Rugby World Cup]].,<ref>{{cite news |first=Nick |last=Cain |title=Player exodus threatens world order |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby/article1719922.ece |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110604114947/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby/article1719922.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 June 2011 |newspaper=[[The Sunday Times]] |date=29 April 2007 |access-date=30 April 2007}}</ref> but later signed a six-month contract with [[Rugby Pro D2|French second division]] club [[RC Toulonnais|Toulon]], beginning in January 2008.<ref name=Toulon>{{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=3 August 2007 |access-date=20 August 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070811111237/http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/Rugby/0,,2-9-838_2158483,00.html |archive-date=11 August 2007 }}</ref> At Toulon, he joined an ambitious side whose president Mourad Boudjellai signed many veteran superstars for the 2007–2008 season, such as {{nrut|Australia}}n [[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]].
[[File:Super 14 LineOut Bulls.JPG|thumb|250px|The Bulls playing the [[Western Force]] in Perth, Australia in 2006]]
Between January and February 2008, Matfield played for Toulon in a stretch of nine key matches, before returning to South Africa and taking part in the 2008 Super 14 season with the Bulls. It was reported his decision to return was due to the [[South African Rugby Union]] having reconsidered to continue with its policy of allowing a limited number of overseas-based players to play for the Springboks.<ref name="Matfield back to Bulls">{{cite news|url=http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/news/matfield-rushing-back-to-bulls/2007/12/18/1197740226687.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110604160744/http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/news/matfield-rushing-back-to-bulls/2007/12/18/1197740226687.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 June 2011 |title=Matfield rushing back to Bulls |first=Duncan |last=Johnstone |work=Rugby Heaven |date=18 December 2007 |access-date=19 December 2007}}</ref>

In 2014, Matfield returned to rugby as a player, signing a 2-year playing contract with the Bulls to keep him in the game until the end of 2015.<ref name="Matfield to join Vodacom Bulls playing squad"/>

At the [[2015 Rugby World Cup]] Matfield started in the first 2 group games for South Africa. The Springboks advanced to the knock out stages, with Matfield coming on from the bench in their semi final loss<ref>{{Cite news|title=South Africa 18-20 New Zealand|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/34594462|access-date=2021-05-30}}</ref> to [[New Zealand Rugby|New Zealand]]. Matfield's final international game was a 24–13 victory<ref>{{Cite news|title=South Africa 24-13 Argentina|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/34662841|access-date=2021-05-30}}</ref> in the third place playoff against [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]] where he again came on as a second-half substitute.

In 2015 it was announced that Matfield would sign for [[Northampton Saints]] after the [[2015 Rugby World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Northampton sign Springbok Matfield|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/34189382|access-date=2021-05-30}}</ref> Matfield played for Northampton for one season before ending his 21-year career in a game against [[Gloucester Rugby]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-05-08|title=Victor Matfield and Northampton bow out gracefully at Gloucester|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/08/victor-matfield-northampton-gloucester|access-date=2021-05-30|website=The Guardian|location=London}}</ref>

===Accolades===
Over the course of his career, Matfield has won the Currie Cup final three times (2002, 2004 & 2009), the Super 14 title in 2007, 2009 and 2010, the Tri-Nations in 2004 and 2009 and the Rugby World Cup in 2007.

In 2008 he was inducted into the [[University of Pretoria]] Hall of fame.<ref>[http://web.up.ac.za/default.asp?ipkCategoryID=10413 Hall of fame Retrieved June 25, 2011] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717033810/http://web.up.ac.za/default.asp?ipkCategoryID=10413 |date=17 July 2011 }}</ref>

==Commentator and coach==
Matfield retired from the Springboks after the 2015 World Cup, and considered a coaching career in Australia with the [[New South Wales Waratahs|NSW Waratahs]].<ref>{{cite web
 | last = Growden | first = Greg
 | date = 23 July 2010
 | title = Springbok foe could soon be an ally, but not just yet
 | work = The Age
 | url= http://www.theage.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/springbok-foe-could-soon-be-an-ally-but-not-just-yet-20100722-10mza.html
 | access-date=23 July 2010 
}}</ref>

He subsequently joined [[SuperSport (South African TV channel)|SuperSport]] as a TV presenter for the Super Rugby season. He was also part of the coaching team and served as a line-out consultant for the Blue Bulls provincial rugby team in 2013.<ref name="Who's Who">{{cite web | url=http://whoswho.co.za/victor-matfield-4586 | title=Victor Matfield | work=[[Who's Who in SA]] | access-date=1 August 2015}}</ref>

==Honours==
* 2002, 2004, 2009 Currie Cup winner ([[Blue Bulls]]) 
* 2007, 2009, 2010 [[Super Rugby]] winner ([[Bulls (rugby club)|Bulls]])
* 2004, 2009 Tri-Nations winner
* [[2007 Rugby World Cup]] winner
* 2009 British and Irish Lions test series winner

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[[:fr:Victor Matfield|French articles]]
*{{ESPNscrum|13713}}
*{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=18988 | name=Victor Matfield | date=10 March 2016}}
*[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]

{{S-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{S-bef|before=[[John Smit]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Springbok captains|Springbok Captain]]|years=2007, 2008}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Johann Muller (rugby player)|Johann Muller]]}}
{{s-end}}

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{{South Africa Squad 2015 Rugby World Cup}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Matfield, Victor}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Polokwane]]
[[Category:South African people of British descent]]
[[Category:Rugby union locks]]
[[Category:South African rugby union coaches]]
[[Category:South African rugby union players]]
[[Category:South Africa international rugby union players]]
[[Category:Bulls (rugby union) players]]
[[Category:Blue Bulls players]]
[[Category:Lions (United Rugby Championship) players]]
[[Category:Griquas (rugby union) players]]
[[Category:Northampton Saints players]]
[[Category:University of Pretoria alumni]]
[[Category:RC Toulon players]]
[[Category:South African expatriate rugby union players in France]]
[[Category:Barbarian F.C. players]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Limpopo]]
[[Category:2003 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:2007 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:2011 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:2015 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:South African expatriate rugby union players in England]]
[[Category:South Africa national rugby union team captains]]
[[Category:21st-century South African sportsmen]]