The finest lineout forward in rugby history — two World Cup winner with South Africa.
Victor Matfield was born in Pietersburg, South Africa in 1977. He won 127 Test caps and is considered the finest lineout operator in rugby history — his reading of lineouts, both in attack and stealing the opposition's ball, was technically unprecedented. He won two Rugby World Cups (2007 and 2015) and was named World Player of the Year in 2006. He retired in 2011 before returning in 2015 to help South Africa win the World Cup at 37. He was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2011.
Best Known For
Rugby World Cup 2x (2007,2015)
Honours & Achievements
Career Honours
- Rugby World Cup 2x (2007,2015)
- World Player of Year 2x
- Super Rugby Champion 5x
Career Journey
Timeline
1977
👶 Born in Pietersburg, South Africa
2019
🏁 Retired from professional sport
🏟️ Bulls
🏟️ Toulouse
🏆 Rugby World Cup 2x (2007,2015)
🏆 World Player of Year 2x
🏆 Super Rugby Champion 5x