Matfield rumours resurface
Rumours that World Cup-winning Springbok Victor Matfield will come out of retirement has resurfaced.
The reports first surfaced last year, when he went into training and then played for the South African Legends in a veterans tournament – when they won the Bermuda World Classic.
According to a report in the Beeld newspaper Matfield will make his return to the playing field for the Bulls in Super Rugby – which will serve as a trial run for his possible return to the Bok fold.
The newspaper claims to have three credible sources, which all said Matfield will play for the Bulls.
Matfield told Beeld he was unwilling to grant any interviews, but hinted that there could be truth in the reports when he said the Bulls and the Springboks will hold a joint media briefing in the near future.
Matfield, 36, retired from the game after the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
He was the Bulls' line-out coach in recent years and has trained with the team since late last year.
While Flip van der Merwe was the Boks' first-choice No.5 lock – Matfield's position – on the year-end tour, Sharks youngster Pieter-Steph du Toit is being groomed by Bok coach Heyneke Meyer to eventually take over the crucial role.
Matfield and Du Toit could go head-to-head in the opening week of the Super Rugby competition, when the Bulls play the Sharks – if the veteran does make a comeback.
Matfield is eyeing the 2015 World Cup in England.
He will by 38 years old by then.
Lions coach Johan Ackermann currently holds the record as the oldest Bok. He was 37 years and 34 days when he played the last of his 13 Tests against Australia in Sydney on 7 July 2007.
