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Cardiff – Springbok captain Victor Matfield says his lock partner Bakkies Botha is a changed man, but he will never relinquish his role as the enforcer in the Springbok side.
“I think Bakkies Botha learnt a great deal from the mistakes he made in the Tri-Nations. He really is a changed man and knows what his role is in the team. He will never get away from the enforcer role, but the important thing for him is to do it within the laws of the game,” the Bok captain said on Friday before Saturday’s Test against Wales at the Millennium stadium.
According to Matfield, Botha is one of the senior players and he is aware that he has a big role to play in the team.
“Bakkies has to show the younger guys how things should be done. If you look at how the drives went last week a lot of credit must be given to him. He brings that much needed bulk aggression and strength to the drives. The one thing we want to get right is our discipline. We don’t want to do things outside the law,” he emphasised.
Asked if there were attempts to provoke Botha last week, Matfield said: “Nothing happened last week. I think the discipline was great, but I don’t think Bakkies must allow anything to take his focus away from the game.”
Matfield will become the most capped player in Springbok history when he runs out in his 103rd Test surpassing John Smit and Percy Montgomery who has both played 102 Tests.
Matfield however played down the significance of reaching this milestone.
“To play one Test for your country is great and to be able to play more that 100 Tests is also great. I am not big on records.
“It not something that I have gave a lot of thought over this week. Maybe one day when I hang up my boots, I can look back at it and say that it is something that I can be very proud of. The most important thing for us right now is to win this Test.”
Matfield says he was happy with the way they started the tour, but they are still not where they want to be.
“It is unacceptable the way we let Ireland back into the game last week. We really controlled the game for 60 to 65 minutes and to allow them to almost get a draw out of the game is unacceptable,” he said.
The big lock hopes a guy like Sharks loose forward Willem Alberts will make a difference when he comes on.
“Willem has had a good Currie Cup. He a strong ball carrying forward and hopefully he can make an impact when he comes on later in the second half.
It has been a cold and rainy week in Wales and all the indications are that the roof of the Millennium stadium will be closed for the game.
“I think they have decided that roof will be closed. We’ve seen last week Wales have a great pack with good backs. Except for this year maybe Wales have always been competitive in the Six Nations over the last fear years. They are a great side, but we only have to concentrate on ourselves and focus on what we want to do on the weekend,” added Matfield.
Cardiff – Springbok captain Victor Matfield says his lock partner Bakkies Botha is a changed man, but he will never relinquish his role as the enforcer in the Springbok side.
“I think Bakkies Botha learnt a great deal from the mistakes he made in the Tri-Nations. He really is a changed man and knows what his role is in the team. He will never get away from the enforcer role, but the important thing for him is to do it within the laws of the game,” the Bok captain said on Friday before Saturday’s Test against Wales at the Millennium stadium.
According to Matfield, Botha is one of the senior players and he is aware that he has a big role to play in the team.
“Bakkies has to show the younger guys how things should be done. If you look at how the drives went last week a lot of credit must be given to him. He brings that much needed bulk aggression and strength to the drives. The one thing we want to get right is our discipline. We don’t want to do things outside the law,” he emphasised.
Asked if there were attempts to provoke Botha last week, Matfield said: “Nothing happened last week. I think the discipline was great, but I don’t think Bakkies must allow anything to take his focus away from the game.”
Matfield will become the most capped player in Springbok history when he runs out in his 103rd Test surpassing John Smit and Percy Montgomery who has both played 102 Tests.
Matfield however played down the significance of reaching this milestone.
“To play one Test for your country is great and to be able to play more that 100 Tests is also great. I am not big on records.
“It not something that I have gave a lot of thought over this week. Maybe one day when I hang up my boots, I can look back at it and say that it is something that I can be very proud of. The most important thing for us right now is to win this Test.”
Matfield says he was happy with the way they started the tour, but they are still not where they want to be.
“It is unacceptable the way we let Ireland back into the game last week. We really controlled the game for 60 to 65 minutes and to allow them to almost get a draw out of the game is unacceptable,” he said.
The big lock hopes a guy like Sharks loose forward Willem Alberts will make a difference when he comes on.
“Willem has had a good Currie Cup. He a strong ball carrying forward and hopefully he can make an impact when he comes on later in the second half.
It has been a cold and rainy week in Wales and all the indications are that the roof of the Millennium stadium will be closed for the game.
“I think they have decided that roof will be closed. We’ve seen last week Wales have a great pack with good backs. Except for this year maybe Wales have always been competitive in the Six Nations over the last fear years. They are a great side, but we only have to concentrate on ourselves and focus on what we want to do on the weekend,” added Matfield.
