Northampton Saints sign South African lock Victor Matfield
Tuesday 8 September 2015 18:08, UK
Northampton Saints have pulled off a coup by signing legendary South African lock Victor Matfield for next season.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest second rows to have played the game, the 38-year-old is South Africa's most capped player, having worn the famous green jersey 123 times heading into the 2015 Rugby World Cup - his fourth.
Matfield was a key force in his country's World Cup winning campaign of 2007 - he was named man of the match in the 15-6 final win over England - and he is also a double Rugby Championship winner.
Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder says that Matfield will bring a wealth of experience to Franklin's Gardens.
"Victor is one of the outstanding forwards in world rugby," he commented. "He has been at the top of the game for well over a decade now and his selection by South Africa for a fourth consecutive World Cup shows that he remains a force to be reckoned with.
"We're very much looking forward to Victor joining up with the squad and believe he has a lot to offer the club, not only on the field, but also off it in terms of his leadership qualities and experience."
Matfield - who also spent time in the Top 14 with Toulon - is looking forward to a new challenge.
"It is an honour for me to join the Northampton Saints," he said. "Seven years ago Saints very nearly became my rugby home and I feel privileged to be given another opportunity to join the club.
"I join Saints to make the best contribution I possibly can and I have a genuine desire to hopefully play an instrumental role in a team effort, with the aim of lifting silverware in both the Aviva Premiership and the European Rugby Champions Cup.
"For now I will focus only on the Springboks' campaign to win the Rugby World Cup but I am very excited about the journey with Saints from November onwards."
Matfield will link up with the Saints squad once his Rugby World Cup commitments with South Africa have concluded.
