Victor Matfield: Springboks Are ‘By Far’ the Best Team in the World and No One Can ‘Compete for That Spot’
Legendary Springboks lock Victor Matfield has made a bold statement about South Africa’s current dominance in the world of rugby.
Despite the official World Rugby rankings placing them second, Matfield insists that the Springboks are, without question, the best team globally. He believes that the rankings don’t capture the full extent of their achievements.
After their recent triumph in the Rugby Championship, which included an emphatic 48-7 victory over Argentina, Matfield is confident that South Africa deserves the number one spot. The Springboks, who have won back-to-back World Cups and defeated the British and Irish Lions in 2021, have a record of success that Matfield argues is unmatched by any other team.
While Ireland currently tops the rankings, he views these numbers as misleading, stating that they don’t reflect South Africa’s real dominance.
For Matfield, rugby is defined by the ability to perform and win when it matters most. He emphasized that South Africa consistently proves itself by winning major tournaments and crucial matches. The Springboks’ ability to claim trophies, including their latest Rugby Championship victory, is proof of their superiority.
"We have won all the trophies and cups we played for in the past few years," Matfield asserted, reinforcing his belief that the Boks remain the team to beat.
Matfield is adamant that no other team can challenge South Africa's position as the best team in the world. He pointed out that South Africa has defeated the All Blacks four times in a row—an achievement no other team can boast of. While the northern hemisphere teams may argue otherwise, Matfield believes the Webb Ellis Cup and the Boks’ continued success speak for themselves.
He is certain that no one else can match their consistency and power in recent years.
As South Africa prepares for the Autumn Nations Series, their focus remains on securing more victories and reaffirming their status as rugby’s top team. Meanwhile, Ireland faces a tough schedule, including clashes with the All Blacks and Australia, which could jeopardize their top ranking.
For Matfield, though, the Springboks are already firmly entrenched as the world’s number one, regardless of what the rankings say.
What do you think? Are the Springboks the best in the world, or do the rankings hold more weight in this debate?
