Former captain and Springbok player Victoire Matfield stated that South Africa can recover on Saturday in Cape Town after the defeat by New Zealand in the first match at Ellis Park stadium. He noted that pressure is always present in test matches, and it increases when one of teammates plays their hundred-and-first match.
However, Matfield believes that the Springboks will not face additional pressure since the resilient player Peter-Steph du Toit will play his hundred-and-first match against New Zealand on Saturday afternoon in Cape Town. This match is the second in the 'Greatest Rivalry in Rugby' confrontation at DHL Stadium (starting at 17:10).
The South African team found itself in a difficult situation after the first loss. Speaking at an event by Peregrine Capital dedicated to the Springboks' centenaries, Matfield emphasized that the team's primary task is to regain form, and only then can they celebrate du Toit's milestone with a victory.
He stated: 'There is always pressure, but I think as a team you don't want to focus on one person, that's what the team needs. And this is Peter-Steph du Toit's 100th match this weekend. Yes, of course, they will celebrate his 100th match, it's important, but it's all about the team. We want to win, we are playing in the Springboks jersey, the country expects us to win, and that is our focus. The focus is not on the guy playing his 100th, we want to win for him. It's about being a team, and all these players can tell you, it's not about them, it's about the team. And if the team wins, this milestone will become much more special.'
Matfield, who himself played 127 matches for the Springboks, recalled the pressure he felt reaching his own hundred-and-first match. Unlike Percy Montgomery, John Smith, Jean de Villiers, and Damian de Allende, who lost to the All Blacks in their hundred-and-first match, Matfield won against them.
He recounted: 'I remember approaching my 100th match, Peter de Villiers (former Springbok coach) said: 'If you want to be captain, maybe you need to...'. I replied: 'Make John captain, he is our captain, we just need to win'. And I mean we had 20 minutes left, the pressure was on.'
Matfield also noted that the Springboks will certainly try to reduce the high error rate when facing the All Blacks again. He added that they will do everything possible to win, even if it is a one-point victory. In his opinion, the Springboks might even play more conservatively, especially after conceding possession in attacking positions.
'We did this in the World Cup final or in the World Cup where we won three games in a row by one point. And I think that's the only thing that matters on Saturday, we just need to win. No matter what it takes. They just made too many mistakes, and I think if they improve this aspect, with the talent and structure they have, we will manage on Saturday.'