Matfield: World Cup not a distraction

The Springboks will not be distracted by the upcoming World Cup when they take on the All Blacks in a Tri-Nations Test on Saturday, according to stand-in captain Victor Matfield.

The South African squad for the World Cup will be announced on Tuesday, but Matfield said his players were focused entirely on the challenge of beating New Zealand, who host next month's tournament.

"Every guy that is starting this Test match should be on that plane," said Matfield.

"Everyone knows what they have to do and they know the bigger picture."

The same may not be true of the All Blacks, who are fielding a virtual second-string team that includes some players who are not certain of their World Cup places.

New Zealand are also naming their squad on Tuesday, but Matfield said he could not predict how the uncertainty might affect them.

"That sort of pressure affects each player differently," he said.

Matfield said a good performance at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was crucial for the struggling Springboks, who have lost their first three matches in the competition.

"We need to start winning, we need to get our confidence back and we need to get momentum. We also need get the belief of the public going into the World Cup."

But he said that even a defeat would not wreck their World Cup hopes.

"The game is really important but if you don't win you need to put it behind you and start focusing on the next game."

Asked whether the fact that the Springboks were condemned to finishing bottom of the Tri-Nations would affect the team's motivation, Matfield said: "It doesn't matter whether you are playing for a cup or not, every game needs a special effort, otherwise you are not worthy of being a Springbok."

He said any match against New Zealand was "the ultimate Test match" and he still expected strong opposition despite several All Blacks stars staying at home ahead of the World Cup.

"They'll play a very high-tempo game and we need to focus on what we need to do. There can't be any excuses anymore."

Matfield rejected criticism of the Springboks' fitness levels after last week's 14-9 defeat by Australia in Durban, when most of the leading players returned after a break of several weeks.

"I can't speak for everyone but I felt good out there. The break helped, I got some running in and the body feels fresher than it normally does after a Super rugby season. The fitness is right up there."

AFP