Victor Matfield: Modern Ruby Players are “Robotic”

by Amanda on Dec 19th, 2011

Retired Springbok lock Victor Matfield spoke to Rugby 365 following the launch of his autobiography, Victor: My Journey. Sharing his insights into the game, Matfield says that modern players are “robotic” and don’t understand the underlying principles behind the game. He also says that the Springboks don’t need a foreign coach because there are enough talented couches in South Africa who understand how important rugby is for the country. The interview is in four parts:

Recently retired Springbok vice-captain Victor Matfield has laid the debate about New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence’s World Cup quarterfinal performance to rest.

The legendary Bok lock, who retired from all forms of the game after captaining the Barbarians against Australia last Saturday, said he felt Lawrence had “frozen”, rather than “cheated” – as has been suggested in some quarters – when the Wallabies beat the Boks 11-9 in their World Cup quarterfinal encounter in October.

Interview part one: Rugby 365

South Africa have enough coaches to make the Springboks the best team in the world and don’t need foreigners.

This is the frank and candid view of retired Springbok vice-captain Victor Matfield, who believes that SA has enough coaching talent at home not to bother with imports.

With incumbent Peter de Villiers’s four-year term coming to an end this month, the search for a new Bok coach is on. And the South African Rugby Union have revealed they will head-hunt the next Bok mentor.

Interview part two: Rugby 365

Retired Springbok lock Victor Matfield believes too many modern players are ‘robotic’ and simply don’t understand the game.

Matfield, a great supporter of structures, believes that too many players make no effort to understand why they do certain things within those structures.

Regarded as one of the best analytical minds within South Africa, if not the entire rugby world, the 110-Test cap veteran said South Africa have always had some of the best talent in the world.

Interview part three: Rugby 365

Victor Matfield has a dream to one day coach the Springboks to World Cup glory. But that journey will start as a consultant with the Bulls next year.

The recently-retired Bok lock is determined to start at the bottom; to take small steps and work his way to the top. Just like he did with his playing career.

Matfield, speaking to this website in an interview to mark the Cape Town launch of his book, Victor: My Journey, said it would be a “great privilege” to one day coach the Springboks.

Interview part four: Rugby 365

Book details