Matfield ready to face blood-brother Bakkies

An unstoppable duo in the Springbok engine room, Matfield and Botha are still widely regarded as the best Springbok lock pairing in history. But tomorrow their friendship and long history on the field will be put to the side when they go head to head as captains of their sides.

While they will most certainly share a drink after the game, the two are likely to meet in open play – while the lineouts will be fiercely contested. The presence of Ali Williams and Eben Etzebeth will make for an even more enticing battle in the air.

Speaking at the Springboks final press conference before tomorrow’s match, Matfield looked back to the first time he played against Botha.

“I played against him when he was 19 years old and I was 21. He played for the Falcons, he was still playing loose forward and was around 105 kgs. At the Griquas I was around 120 kgs so it’s a bit different. It’s a bit different now, I’m 105 and he’s 120 or maybe even heavier. It’s going to be interesting; it will be nice to do the toss with Bakkies,” Matfield said.

Despite their playing history, which goes back over a decade, Matfield said it would be all business when the whistle blows tomorrow afternoon.

“I think once we get to the park, it’s all about what we want to do this year – that is where the focus will be. It’s a very important game for us; we know what we need to do in this first game to get ourselves ready for the Championships and then to get us in the right frame of mind for the World Cup coming up.”

Matfield captains the side tomorrow and is no stranger to the task. While his leadership quality are undeniable, the presence of the fit-again Jean de Villiers has humbled the Bok lock.

“I’m getting goose bumps now. It’s just amazing the way he came back and the way he’s been training. We all thought he would just make it for the World Cup and it’s already two months before the competition. I think for now, let’s see him get through that 20 minutes, get his confidence back. He’s a very important part of this whole campaign and let’s hope we can get him 100 percent before the World Cup,” Matfield said.

The match is not an official Test but Matfield said the occasion is still a special one. Both Jesse Kriel and Vincent Koch will pull the Bok jersey on for the first time on Saturday.

“If you put on the Springbok jersey you represent your country. So it’s a very important game. We’ve probably trained a bit harder this week than we usually do before a Test match but we will go in full tilt and give everything,” Matfield said.

The Boks take on the World XV at 17h05 tomorrow afternoon.

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