Victor Matfield may just be the greatest rugby player in the world.

Victor Matfield

Whilst that is only my opinion, the respect for the giant lock is universally accepted from friend and foe alike.

Matfield earns the distinction of playing his 100th test on his home ground of Loftus Versfeld this Saturday against Australia.

He becomes the third Springbok behind Percy Montgomery and John Smit to achieve the feat, and the 15th player worldwide.

Matfield earlier this week said “Your first game in a Springbok jersey is very special and to play your 50th as a Springbok is incredible, but to run out for your 100th game is something you never expect to happen.”

Being the consummate professional, Matfield was thinking of the team more than his own achievements leading into the test.

“We hope we can turn around our mistakes and bad luck from the first four games and come up with something special on Saturday” said Matfield.

PLENTY OF PRAISE

However his team-mates, coaches and the rugby public have been exuberant in their praise and want to honour the legendary lock.

Approximately 35000 Victor Matfield masks are to be handed out at Loftus Versfeld in honour of Matfield.

His Springbok captain John Smit had this to say: “If anyone deserves a victory on his home ground then it is Victor Matfield. If you look at what he has already achieved on that field in the Currie Cup and Super 14, he is one of the greatest rugby players that has ever lived.”

Matfield’s mentor Heyneke Meyer was invited to hand out the Springbok jerseys this week and said, “The one thing that makes him great is that he always leads by example. His professionalism speaks volumes.”

“He doesn’t get the credit he should as captain but the trophies speak for themselves. I think he is probably the best lock that has ever played the game.”

“It is a great achievement by Victor, and it will be that more special because it is at Loftus. He will want the team to win on his 100th game – for the country, not for himself.”

Friend and team mate at the Bulls and Springboks, Fourie du Preez had this to say, “Victor still puts in enough work on the field, he makes the right calls and has been unfairly marked as a player who is over the hill. Perceptions about him are wrong. He is definitely the type of player you want at the World Cup next year.”

“He is a guy who understands the soul of the game and studies it continuously. He has a lot of character and always puts the team first. He listens to others opinions and is a special player. I feel privileged to have played so many games with him.”

And du Preez provided a valuable insight as to something I believe makes Matfield special, and that is more than wat he does on the rugby field. “Above that he is a good family man and has a lot of time for people he loves. There is a good balance in his life” said du Preez.

GOOD LUCK FOR SATURDAY!

Unfortunately Bok milestones don’t often go according to plan, such as Percy Montgomery and John Smit’s 100 tests, but Matfield is different.

For a start he is a student of the game, reads widely on personal development and leadership topics which gives him great balance as an individual, and works harder than any other player.

He is always leading from the front at training, and is a master tactician. He’ll be pumped for this game, and have spent hours analysing and preparing for it.

For the world’s best rugby player, I’m sure he’ll get the result he so rightly deserves!