Victor Matfield believes the Springboks’ experience proved decisive as they produced a strong second-half performance to beat the All Blacks in the third Test at FNB Stadium.
The Springboks claimed a 29-24 victory in Johannesburg on Saturday to move 2-1 ahead in the four-Test series, with former Bok captain Matfield pointing to the experience within the South African side as a key difference.
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After a fiercely contested first half, Matfield felt the Boks showed their class when the pressure intensified after the break.
“In that second half you could just see this is a very experienced team that played together for nine years,” Matfield said on the Rugby Rivals podcast.
“Rassie also said it in the press conference. I mean, they just had another gear, and that just came through.”
Matfield believes that experience, built through years of playing together at the highest level, gave the Boks an advantage when the match reached its decisive stages.
“I think the experience, playing together for a long time, there was just an extra gear for them to go to. I think the one or two big injuries for the All Blacks really played a big role as well,” Matfield said.
“But again, what a Test match. What an atmosphere. I think everyone was talking about this great rivalry tour. It lived up to all expectations.”
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Matfield was also full of praise for World Player of the Year Malcolm Marx, who once again delivered a huge performance for the Springboks.
The former Bok captain believes Marx could have been in contention for Man of the Match honours in the second Test in Cape Town, before highlighting the hooker’s immense contribution to the South African cause.
“I think he’s special every week. I think in [Cape Town] he could have been the man of the match as well. I actually thought that was probably between him, Eben [Etzebeth] and Cheslin [Kolbe],” Matfield said.
“But Malcolm is just an outstanding player. What he’s done for South Africa, I mean, he just comes out there, puts his body on the line. He leads that scrum, he gets over the ball, carries. So no, he’s just unbelievable.”
Photo: Johan Orton/Gallo Images
The post Big Vic: Boks just had another gear appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Victor Matfield believes the Springboks’ experience proved decisive as they produced a strong second-half performance to beat the All Blacks in the third Test at FNB Stadium.
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