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Cape Town - Despite Springbok legend Victor Matfield's captaincy credentials, Sport24 readers would have preferred Bismarck du Plessis for Springbok captain...
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer announced Matfield as interim captain in Cape Town on Tuesday.
Matfield, who has played 110 Tests for South Africa, last captained the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2011 and has captained the team in 17 Tests.
Despite the 37-year old lock's legendary status and a rugby CV that includes almost every major honour available in South African rugby, some fans were concerned that at his age Matfield is past his best and should not be an automatic selection choice.
However, with Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Franco van der Merwe all out injured, Matfield will be a virtual certainty for the Incoming Series, bearing in mind that he is only an interim captain in Jean de Villiers's injury-enforced absence.
But readers should rest-assured: Du Plessis was picked as Matfield's deputy alongside Fourie du Preez, who would share the vice-captaincy role.
Fiery hooker Bismarck du Plessis was preferred by readers in Sport24's online poll, but only by the narrowest of margins garnering 37% of the vote ahead of Matfield's 35%.
Sport24 asked:
"Who should be the Springbok captain during Jean de Villiers' injury-enforced absence?"
These were the results of the poll:
37% - Bismarck du Plessis
35% - Victor Matfield
9% - Adriaan Strauss
9% - Schalk Burger
6% - Francois Louw
4% - Fourie du Preez
Bismarck du Plessis will be Victor Matfield's deputy. (Gallo Images)
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer announced Matfield as interim captain in Cape Town on Tuesday.
Matfield, who has played 110 Tests for South Africa, last captained the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2011 and has captained the team in 17 Tests.
Despite the 37-year old lock's legendary status and a rugby CV that includes almost every major honour available in South African rugby, some fans were concerned that at his age Matfield is past his best and should not be an automatic selection choice.
However, with Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Franco van der Merwe all out injured, Matfield will be a virtual certainty for the Incoming Series, bearing in mind that he is only an interim captain in Jean de Villiers's injury-enforced absence.
But readers should rest-assured: Du Plessis was picked as Matfield's deputy alongside Fourie du Preez, who would share the vice-captaincy role.
Fiery hooker Bismarck du Plessis was preferred by readers in Sport24's online poll, but only by the narrowest of margins garnering 37% of the vote ahead of Matfield's 35%.
Sport24 asked:
"Who should be the Springbok captain during Jean de Villiers' injury-enforced absence?"
These were the results of the poll:
37% - Bismarck du Plessis
35% - Victor Matfield
9% - Adriaan Strauss
9% - Schalk Burger
6% - Francois Louw
4% - Fourie du Preez
Bismarck du Plessis will be Victor Matfield's deputy. (Gallo Images)
