View from South Africa: Who'll be the boss? Victor, vows Bakkies
Springbok lock Victor Matfield. Photo: Duif du Toit, Getty Images
Thursday June 11 2009
That immortal Lion, Willie John McBride, will be remembered for many an illustrious feat, including the famous "99" call-to-arms on the 1974 tour of South Africa.
Now he has perhaps unwittingly lit the fuse on the 2009 tour by his reported comment that his successor Paul O'Connell will show Victor Matfield who's boss in the line-outs.
On Wednesday the Springboks gathered at a Durban beachfront hotel to accelerate preparation for next week's first Test and when Matfield appeared at the very first media conference McBride's comments were brought to the attention of the Bulls captain.
Matfield said: "O'Connell is a very good captain and lock but I also hear he has had a lot to say to other South African locks when Bakkies (Botha) and I haven't been around, so we'll wait and see if he has something to say to us."
"It's good for Willie to back his player (and fellow Irishman) but we'll have to see, after what promises to be a very good battle, who is bossing who around."
Later, in a second media conference, Botha appeared and was brought up to speed about the reported challenge to Matfield via McBride. "Bossing? Hey, that's my game!" Bakkies said, only just stopping short of licking his lips and cracking his knuckles.
"As far as I can recall - and I've played a lot of rugby with Victor - I don't remember anybody bossing him around," Botha added. "He's a class player; actually, he's phenomenal and I admire him for the way he's changed his game.
"He's toughened up," Botha said with a little grin. "He's now getting involved in the rucks, not just stealing balls in the line-outs and standing at third centre! He's getting stuck in.
"We'll go into battle together in what is going to be a very tough series and we'll boss each other around!"
Botha saved his uncompromising best for last: "We're going to have to be brutal up front - I love it!"
No, fine. So the battle lines are drawn.
Incidentally, the man at the centre of this powder-keg, O'Connell, heard of McBride's comment for the first time at a media conference on Monday in Umhlanga Rocks.
"He said that?" the captain asked, looking a touch bewildered. "I should read the papers more. I suppose it's good that Willie backs me."
Privately, he might not be all that pleased at having to fight a battle his famous predecessor started.
'WE'VE NOT DONE ENOUGH'
Botha, meanwhile, was still enjoying himself: "Victor and haven't finished what we want to achieve in rugby. Each season we take stock and re-adjust our focus - it is always to go higher.
"We feel we've not done enough in world rugby. The Lions are a new challenge. After what we've achieved in rugby, winning this series will be the cherry on the cake."
Botha was only 17 back in 1997. He says he felt the pain as he watched his beloved Boks implode in front of his eyes.
"I watched on the TV and of course never had any idea that one day I would have the chance to avenge that defeat."
- Mike Greenaway
