Meyer opts for young and restless
SPRINGBOK coach Heyneke Meyer is set to sweep aside sentiment and leave Springbok legend Victor Matfield out of his match 23 for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Wales, a bold move considering Matfield’s considerable influence on the team.
Matfield, 38, retired after the 2011 World Cup but last year was asked by Meyer to make a comeback, and the 125-Test lock has had mixed results.
Youngster Lood de Jager has upstaged the veteran during the period that Matfield has been injured at the World Cup. The hard-working De Jager has made the most tackles at the World Cup (50) and has been arguably the Boks’ best player at the tournament.
Going by the shadow side that trained at the Boks’ base at Pennyhill Park yesterday afternoon, Matfield, who is over a hamstring injury, will not even feature on the bench as lock cover, with that duty going to Pieter Steph du Toit.
Another stalwart on the sidelines will be long-serving tighthead prop, Jannie du Plessis, 32, who finds himself behind another emergent talent, Frans Malherbe, 24.
In another likely change to the team that beat the US last week, J P Pietersen has recovered from a knee injury and will take over from Sharks teammate Lwazi Mvovo on the wing.
With Matfield unlikely to make the cut, the Boks have lost two captains so far at the World Cup. Jean de Villiers went home with a broken jaw after round two (only to return as an unofficial cheerleader) and Matfield is now out of favour, leaving Fourie du Preez to lead the side.
Meyer will announce team at noon today.
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