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Cape Town - Victor Matfield will be confronted by 30 000 lookalikes when he runs out at his beloved Loftus Versfeld in a special tribute on his 100th Test cap on his home ground on Saturday.
The South African Rugby Union has manufactured 30 000 Victor Matfield masks to be distributed at the turnstiles for fans wear in a show of support for one of Pretoria’s favourite sons.
The hope is that all supporters will be wearing theirs when Matfield runs on to the field just before 17:00 on Saturday.
Tickets for the match are still available from Loftus Versfeld and at Computicket priced at R350 (South Stand and behind the posts) and R450 (Eastern Stand).
“It is a very special coincidence that Victor should win his 100th cap on the ground where he has led the Vodacom Bulls to so many titles and we thought we had to mark the occasion with some significant gesture,” said Johan Prinsloo, CEO of the South African Rugby Union.
“This is a novel idea but I’m sure that the public of Pretoria and all Springboks fans will want to turn out in their numbers and join in this initiative to visibly demonstrate their appreciation for a modern great of the game.”
Matfield has run out for the Pretoria team in more than 150 matches and captained them in half of them as the team has enjoyed a modern golden age, claiming the Vodacom Super Rugby title on three occasions in the last four years.
In addition he has been part of three of the Bulls’ hear decade-long run of success in the Absa Currie Cup and even curtailed a spell in France to return to the Springboks and Bulls.
“This is a very proud day for Loftus and all our supporters,” said Barend van Graan, CEO of the Blue Bulls Company. “To have our captain win his 100th cap for the Springboks on his home ground makes it an unbelievable occasion for us and we will be making our own special presentation to Victor in due course.
“I would urge all our very loyal supporters to join us at the field on the day to roar the Springboks to victory in only the way that a Pretoria crowd can, as well as being present to share one of the greatest days of his career with our captain.”
In another unique feature of the day, popular former player Toks van der Linde will become the first Springbok to be the on-field anthem singer.
The former prop will be joined by professional singer Karen Ferreira in a rendition of Nkosi sikelei’ iAfrika.
The South African Rugby Union has manufactured 30 000 Victor Matfield masks to be distributed at the turnstiles for fans wear in a show of support for one of Pretoria’s favourite sons.
The hope is that all supporters will be wearing theirs when Matfield runs on to the field just before 17:00 on Saturday.
Tickets for the match are still available from Loftus Versfeld and at Computicket priced at R350 (South Stand and behind the posts) and R450 (Eastern Stand).
“It is a very special coincidence that Victor should win his 100th cap on the ground where he has led the Vodacom Bulls to so many titles and we thought we had to mark the occasion with some significant gesture,” said Johan Prinsloo, CEO of the South African Rugby Union.
“This is a novel idea but I’m sure that the public of Pretoria and all Springboks fans will want to turn out in their numbers and join in this initiative to visibly demonstrate their appreciation for a modern great of the game.”
Matfield has run out for the Pretoria team in more than 150 matches and captained them in half of them as the team has enjoyed a modern golden age, claiming the Vodacom Super Rugby title on three occasions in the last four years.
In addition he has been part of three of the Bulls’ hear decade-long run of success in the Absa Currie Cup and even curtailed a spell in France to return to the Springboks and Bulls.
“This is a very proud day for Loftus and all our supporters,” said Barend van Graan, CEO of the Blue Bulls Company. “To have our captain win his 100th cap for the Springboks on his home ground makes it an unbelievable occasion for us and we will be making our own special presentation to Victor in due course.
“I would urge all our very loyal supporters to join us at the field on the day to roar the Springboks to victory in only the way that a Pretoria crowd can, as well as being present to share one of the greatest days of his career with our captain.”
In another unique feature of the day, popular former player Toks van der Linde will become the first Springbok to be the on-field anthem singer.
The former prop will be joined by professional singer Karen Ferreira in a rendition of Nkosi sikelei’ iAfrika.
