Dream of World Cup win lures Matfield to risk his legacy
VICTOR Matfield is clear that his comeback to rugby at the age of 36 after two years on the sidelines is with one goal in mind — to go to the 2015 World Cup in England, and win it with the Springboks.
Of course, by then he will be 38, an age when most players are ensconced in a coaching booth or a television studio. Matfield has done both in the 27 months since the last of his 110 tests for the Boks, but the itch to play again has only become worse.
An unsuccessful foray into television analysis, a near manic devotion to mountain biking and a fruitful beginning as a coach have not been enough to satisfy the void.
When Matfield’s Bulls mentor, Heyneke Meyer, was appointed Bok coach in early 2012, the desire to return only grew. Meyer has made it clear, privately to Matfield, and publicly, by reiterating the lack of depth at No 5 lock, that Matfield would be welcome in the test squad — if he can prove his worth at Super Rugby level first.
“There is only one reason why I’m making this comeback. I want to win another World Cup,” Matfield says. “I really believe that, under Heyneke and the current management, who are guys I’ve worked with for almost my entire career, that the Boks will win in 2015.
“I want to be part of it because this is one of the best Springbok sides I’ve seen in a long time.”
Matfield laughs off a suggestion that he is returning for financial gain, and the hope of cashing in on a big Springbok contract, which so far hasn’t been forthcoming from the SA Rugby Union.
“I’m on the same contract as I was as a coach at the Bulls, I’m not earning more,” he says. “The only thing that has changed in my contract is that it says I’m a player and not a coach.”
Matfield, who won three Super 14 titles with the Bulls, in addition to the 2007 World Cup with the Springboks, admits to being nervous and slightly underprepared, as negotiations cost him time on the training pitch.
“It wasn’t an easy decision and I know there is a lot of risk in it,” Matfield says. “I’m under no illusions that it will be tough because I haven’t played for two years.
“But physically I feel great and I’m running at the front at Bulls training. I haven’t taken a full contact yet, so that will be another test, but hopefully the lineout magic and ability at the restarts is still there.”
Matfield pondered whether he would ruin his legacy with an illfated return.
“There are always going to be critics and they will be watching even closer now. I’m prepared for it but I did warn my parents that they might have to stop reading the newspapers and listening to the radio for a little while.
“I went through the process of asking whether I would damage my standing if my comeback is a failure. I looked at a guy like Danie Gerber, who made a comeback but was not the same, or Muhammad Ali, who was knocked out in his last fight. But you know what? No one can ever take away my 110 test caps, a World Cup winner’s medal, Super 14 titles and Currie Cup wins.
“What I can do is add to that list. If not, I could walk away knowing I tried.”