Publications
Partners
Matfield will reach the milestone when he leads his side out for the 51st time, but sees a tough time ahead in the 80 minutes for the defending champions , who are one point ahead at the top of the log with a game in hand.
If the Bulls can score their fifth consecutive victory on Friday night, it will give them the perfect start to the season as they head off on tour to Australia and New Zealand next week.
But with the Hurricanes having disappointed themselves in losing to the Cheetahs and Stormers in the past two weeks, Matfield predicts it will be even tougher now to face the side as they will be desperate to win.
“People say the Stormers softened them up for us, I believe they made them angry!” Matfield said of the Hurricanes arrival in South Africa. “They will be very desperate for a win and they are still one of the best sides in this competition.
“If they can pull off a win on the road, it will be huge for them. We need to focus on this week and be 100 percent ready for what they are going to throw at us. We will be up for the game and we know if we play our game, we will do well.”
Matfield does concede that the thought of leaving Pretoria with a full-house is a nice one, but has already put the thought out of his mind and simply wants to win this weekend’s game.
“The semifinals are a long way away still, and we have a long road to travel before we can start thinking baout them. At the end of the day, this is a home game and in this competition you need to win those home games. We know the feeling you get and the pressure you feel if you lose one home game, and we are feeling the pressure of playing at home. We need to focus and be at our best on Friday.”
While emphasising his team wanted to play an “attacking brand” of rugby, Matfield added that bonus points would only be an option if the game dictates it, and winning was the sole focus of the team.
“We love getting the five points out of the game, but if the bonus point happens, it happens. We want to play an attacking brand of rugby, but we are dictated by the shape the game takes. If it is a tight game, we will rather take the points. A bonus point is still very much a bonus in this competition,” Matfield added.
Bulls:
15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Gerhard van der Heever, 13. Stephan Dippenaar, 12. Wynand Olivier, 11. Francois Hougaard; 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Fourie du Preez, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Dewald Potgieter, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Victor Matfield (captain), 4. Danie Rossouw, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Gary Botha, 1. Gurthrö Steenkamp
Substitutes: 16. Bandise Maku, 17. Bees Roux, 18. Flip van der Merwe, 19. Derick Kuün, 20. Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 21. Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 22. Pedrie Wannenburg
