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Cape Town - Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer says Victor Matfield has proved that he's possibly still the best lock in word rugby.
Meyer on Tuesday named Matfield as interim Springbok captain for the four internationals to be played this month.
It capped a remarkable return to the rugby fold for Matfield after a two-year hiatus from the game.
Meyer said what was important for him was that Matfield had to prove that he was still good enough.
Matfield proved with his performances in Super Rugby for the Bulls that he is no doubt the best lineout jumper in the competition this year. His all-round performances have also been top-notch and his value was underlined last week when the Bulls stumbled against the Lions at Ellis Park after opting to rest him.
"The most important thing was that he still needed to set the benchmark in his position and I think he's possibly proved that he's still the best in the world," Meyer told Die Burger's website.
Meyer continued by saying that Matfield was there to "serve" and "knows what it takes" to be a captain.
Matfield will be the captain for Saturday's game against the World XV at Newlands (17:00), and also for the games against against Wales (Durban, June 14 and Nelspruit, June 21) and Scotland (Port Elizabeth, June 28).
Jean de Villiers, who is sidelined with a knee injury, is expected to return as captain for the Rugby Championship in August.
Teams:
South Africa:
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Schalk Burger, 21 Fourie du Preez, 22 Johan Goosen, 23 Lwazi Mvovo
World XV:
TBA
Meyer on Tuesday named Matfield as interim Springbok captain for the four internationals to be played this month.
It capped a remarkable return to the rugby fold for Matfield after a two-year hiatus from the game.
Meyer said what was important for him was that Matfield had to prove that he was still good enough.
Matfield proved with his performances in Super Rugby for the Bulls that he is no doubt the best lineout jumper in the competition this year. His all-round performances have also been top-notch and his value was underlined last week when the Bulls stumbled against the Lions at Ellis Park after opting to rest him.
"The most important thing was that he still needed to set the benchmark in his position and I think he's possibly proved that he's still the best in the world," Meyer told Die Burger's website.
Meyer continued by saying that Matfield was there to "serve" and "knows what it takes" to be a captain.
Matfield will be the captain for Saturday's game against the World XV at Newlands (17:00), and also for the games against against Wales (Durban, June 14 and Nelspruit, June 21) and Scotland (Port Elizabeth, June 28).
Jean de Villiers, who is sidelined with a knee injury, is expected to return as captain for the Rugby Championship in August.
Teams:
South Africa:
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Schalk Burger, 21 Fourie du Preez, 22 Johan Goosen, 23 Lwazi Mvovo
World XV:
TBA
