Matfield to end retirement

SPECULATION IN South Africa is rife that Victor Matfield will come out of retirement to captain the Springboks this year.

The 124-test veteran called it quits after playing for the UK Barbarians following last year’s Rugby World Cup and has been working as a television comments man and lineout coach for the Bulls.

Despite not playing, though, his strong connections to new Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer might be enough to persuade the 34-year-old to come out of retirement to lead the Boks in their three-test series against England in June.

Meyer is short on leadership options, with a number of front-line players in recent times having moved offshore.

Earlier this year, Matfield toyed with the idea of coming out of retirement if Meyer was named Boks coach.

"Everyone knows what I think about Heyneke, but we must wait until [Meyer is appointed] before we talk about it,” he told the Cape Times.

“Let's wait and see what happens, we will see, we will talk. Everything has consequences. Playing, I don't know ... but we will see. It depends if he wants me. I really don't know, it is difficult to say.”