Matfield nervous of skipper duties
"I realise there will be criticism of the appointment as I am 37": Matfield.
Victor Matfield has revealed that he questioned his appointment as Springbok captain just a year after making a comeback with the Bulls.
The Boks will take on Nick Mallet’s World XV on Saturday evening at the DHL Newlands Stadium, which will form part of the June series that will also see the team take on Wales twice as well as Scotland.
Matfield admitted that when he initially heard that he might be captain, he had thought it was great, but was then struck by nerves.
“Initially I thought it was a good idea but I must admit that afterwards I thought to myself ‘Sjoe, have I made the right decision?’ I realise there will be criticism of the appointment as I am 37,” said Matfield.
“I do enjoy being captain, although really it is just about being the guy who leads the team out of the tunnel. You do rely a lot on the senior players around you.
“I have guys like Fourie (du Preez), Bismarck and Duane Vermeulen to help me, and it is also great to have Schalk (Burger) back as well. There is a lot of experience there.”
Matfield initially retired from rugby after losing to Australia in the quarter-final of the 2011 rugby World Cup.
