South African greats aim to go out with a bang
Source: Agencies |
September 1, 2011, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
JOHN Smit and Victor Matfield have done more than play international rugby together. They've grown up together. After the World Cup in New Zealand they plan to retire together - as world champions.
South Africa's most capped players and two of the great Springboks in the country's rich rugby history, Smit and Matfield have been ever-present for a decade, through World Cup triumph, Tri-Nations titles and a series win over the British and Irish Lions. The pair of 100-test veterans hope to lead South Africa to successive titles, a feat never achieved at rugby's showpiece, in their final act as Springboks.
But the questions remain: Is it one step too far for Smit and Matfield? Have they held on too long? And will South Africa's attempt to defend the title be distracted by their farewell?
"Victor and I, it's crazy. We've played a huge amount of tests together." Smit said. "We've seen each other get married, have kids. We've been through Staaldraads together, we've won World Cups and Tri-Nations, we've lost Tri-Nations. We've had our moments up and down and we've always had each other.
"For me, it's just a special relationship. A lot of people always take Victor for granted. He's a phenomenal player and a great leader. He's been a pillar of strength for me. I've relied on him heavily throughout my time as captain and he's stepped up and provided."
Matfield said: "Myself and John are big mates. We've been playing together for quite some time now. It's about knowing each other's body language, knowing what's coming and that always helps. It's fantastic what the two of us have."
But the 33-year-old Smit has come under fire for his place in the team and Matfield, 34 isn't as dominant as he once was in the middle of the lineout. But current coach Peter de Villiers retains faith in his two leaders to inspire the team again.
"I trust both of them completely," De Villiers said. "I know their abilities and how they can read the game. I think we are in a better position than we were a few years back."
South Africa's most capped players and two of the great Springboks in the country's rich rugby history, Smit and Matfield have been ever-present for a decade, through World Cup triumph, Tri-Nations titles and a series win over the British and Irish Lions. The pair of 100-test veterans hope to lead South Africa to successive titles, a feat never achieved at rugby's showpiece, in their final act as Springboks.
But the questions remain: Is it one step too far for Smit and Matfield? Have they held on too long? And will South Africa's attempt to defend the title be distracted by their farewell?
"Victor and I, it's crazy. We've played a huge amount of tests together." Smit said. "We've seen each other get married, have kids. We've been through Staaldraads together, we've won World Cups and Tri-Nations, we've lost Tri-Nations. We've had our moments up and down and we've always had each other.
"For me, it's just a special relationship. A lot of people always take Victor for granted. He's a phenomenal player and a great leader. He's been a pillar of strength for me. I've relied on him heavily throughout my time as captain and he's stepped up and provided."
Matfield said: "Myself and John are big mates. We've been playing together for quite some time now. It's about knowing each other's body language, knowing what's coming and that always helps. It's fantastic what the two of us have."
But the 33-year-old Smit has come under fire for his place in the team and Matfield, 34 isn't as dominant as he once was in the middle of the lineout. But current coach Peter de Villiers retains faith in his two leaders to inspire the team again.
"I trust both of them completely," De Villiers said. "I know their abilities and how they can read the game. I think we are in a better position than we were a few years back."
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 娌狪CP璇侊細娌狪CP澶05050403鍙-1
- |
- 浜掕仈缃戞柊闂讳俊鎭湇鍔¤鍙瘉锛31120180004
- |
- 缃戠粶瑙嗗惉璁稿彲璇侊細0909346
- |
- 骞挎挱鐢佃鑺傜洰鍒朵綔璁稿彲璇侊細娌瓧绗354鍙
- |
- 澧炲肩數淇′笟鍔＄粡钀ヨ鍙瘉锛氭勃B2-20120012
Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
