One last game for Vic and Bakkies

Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha will play together one more time, before walking off into the sunset together.

All and sundry thought Saturday would have been the 36-year-old Botha's last match, when he captained a World XV against South African at Newlands.

However, long-time partner Matfield dropped the ball last Friday – revealing that Botha is set for a series of "exhibition matches".

Botha, addressing the media after his team's 10-46 loss to the Springboks at Newlands, returned the favour – revealing that Matfield, 38, will also not retire after the World Cup, as was expected.

In fact they will "retired" together after playing one more match – for the Barbarians against Argentina at Twickenham on November 21.

"There are about three games to go," Botha said at Newlands – after his team's loss to the Boks – when asked about the remaining matches an what the future holds for him.

"I am tapering it down," he said, adding: "However, on August 9 I will fly to Tokyo. We [as a World XV] will play Japan in Tokyo and after that we will play as a Barbarians team against Samoa ahead of the Word Cup.

"Then, on November 21, there is a final game being played by the BaaBaas against Argentina at Twickenham.

"The people putting that together want Victor [Matfield] and myself to play our last game together at Twickenham."

Botha, who was in a jovial mood, said "it is some way to go for a guy who is semi-retired".

"I am looking forward to it and it keeps me going," he said of his three remaining matches.

"If things go well, and my body holds out till November 21, that would be my absolute final game – that is the plan."

Botha said he is looking forward to the Tokyo experience, as he has never been to the Japanese capital.

"This past week was great and it was phenomenal for me to run out against the Springboks.

"Now I will be wearing my Green and Gold jersey and get behind the Boks for the World Cup."

Botha was adamant that South Africa do have enough dept heading into the World Cup, but provided a rider – the big issue being the management of key players.

"Heyneke [Meyer] is a world class coach and he will manage that," Botha said, adding: "I believe we have the players.

"We have the squad to be a force at the World Cup. We can certainly win the World Cup – the players and the experience is there."

Botha also suggested there is still a role to play for Flip van der Merwe if he sorts out whatever issue there is that resulted in the lock ruling himself out of international selections.

Van der Merwe, who came off the bench for the World XV at Newlands, has ruled himself out of the Bok selection frame for "personal reasons".

However, last week he appeared to make an about-turn – suggesting it "communication error" resulted in a misunderstanding and that he would still be available for the Boks.

Neither the Springboks management, nor Botha were willing to shed light on exactly what those "personal" reasons are and for now he remains "unavailable".

"I don't know what wen on and what is Flip van der Merwe's situation," Botha said.

"What was funny for me in this game was when Flip came on, he called a quick ball on himself in the line-out and took it in front of Victor Matfield.

"It was quite humorous, because his nickname is 'half-lock' – because he is not a full lock.

"However, I think Flip definitely does have a role to play.

"I think he must just sort out his issues, or whatever is going on – I don't know what is going on.

"However, he showed last year in November – when Victor was not available – he did very well at No.4 and No.5 in the line-outs as well.

"But that is not my decision – the decision is behind the scenes."

Botha said once he finally retires in November he will be most looking forward to not having a daily rugby routine – not to get up and have to go to gym and training, etc.

"I will miss the games and the camaraderie, but not the training.

"I am blessed that I have managed my stuff so that I don't need to go into a eight-to-five job. My time is my time and I just want to give time back to my wife and children at this stage of my life.

"What I will miss most is the games, playing with my mates – but this is a new chapter in my life."

By Jan de Koning, at Newlands

@King365ed

@rugby365com