VIC:Rapist wins prison MasterChef

AAP Sports News (Australia)
08-24-2010
RU:Nothing wrong with Victor: Wallabies

By David Beniuk

CAPE TOWN, Aug 23 AAP - Springboks coach Peter de Villiers may think there is "something
wrong" with Victor Matfield, but the Wallabies have no doubt the champion lock will be
primed for his 100th Test on his home ground.

De Villiers on Monday conceded he needed to speak with Matfield regarding his form
as the South Africans search for a first victory in this year's Tri-Nations series at
Loftus Versfeld on Saturday (0100 Sunday AEST).

The admission came as South African commentators also questioned the future of Springboks
captain John Smit, who took responsibility for the weekend loss to New Zealand in his
100th Test.

"There's definitely something wrong with Victor. I have to speak to him," de Villiers
told South African website keo.co.za.

That's not a view shared by Australian opposite Dean Mumm, who expects lineout guru
Matfield to produce his best in Pretoria.

"Absolutely, you can't say too much more, it's been an unbelievable career and it's
certainly not finished," Mumm told a press conference on Monday.

"He's picked up most of, if not all, the prizes and treasures you can get along the
way and he's done that with distinction and form all the way throughout.

"His form of late has been very, very good and so we don't expect anything less.

"It's nice for him to be able to play his 100th Test on his home ground and I'm sure
the people up there at Loftus love Victor."

De Villiers, whose side will play under referee Alain Rolland for the first time since
an outburst from the coach resulted in a disciplinary hearing, said he was wary of Australia,
who haven't won on the South African high veldt since 1963.

"They bring a different mindset to the game than the All Blacks. They don't have the
same physical presence," he said.

"Quade Cooper will pose a threat with his creativity and energy, and we'll have to
counter David Pocock on the ground. We have a plan for him up our sleeves."

South Africa have been bolstered by the availability of long-range kick specialist
Francois Steyn, who has arrived after a wrangle with his French club, and centre Jaque
Fourie.

Flanker Juan Smith is confident of being fit after suffering an abdominal strain in
the weekend's 29-22 loss to New Zealand.

AAP dpb/djw

KEYWORD: TRI AUST SAFRICA

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