LONDON – Springbok veteran Victor Matfield has signed for Northampton Saints on a one year contract starting after the conclusion of the Rugby World Cup.
The lock has amassed a whopping 123 test caps since making his debut for South Africa in 2001. He was also awarded the man of the match in South Africa’s win over England in the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final.
Matfield will be the oldest player at this year’s Rugby World Cup which will also be the fourth time he’s appeared at the tournament.
It will be the 38 year old’s first season in the Premiership with most of his club appearances coming for the Bulls in Super Rugby while he spent a solitary season for European giants Toulon in 2007-2008.
Matfield said he looking forward to hopefully winning silverware with the Northampton side.
“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”, he said.
“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.”