Time for ‘Tony Ball’ on Springboks’ Year-End Tour, Says Victor Matfield

Springbok legend Victor Matfield believes South Africa could showcase a more expansive attacking style during their upcoming year-end tour of Europe, with attack coach Tony Brown expected to have a greater influence on the team’s approach.

The world champions are preparing for three important Nations Championship Tests against Italy, France and Ireland in November. Matfield expects head coach Rassie Erasmus to use the tour to develop the team’s attacking game while maintaining the physicality and intensity that have made the Springboks successful.

Speaking on the Rugby Rivals podcast, the former Springbok captain reflected on South Africa’s recent Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand, during which the team relied heavily on its traditional strengths after losing the opening Test.

“We really went back to our old DNA in the Rivalry tour where we were really physical, we were direct, we played the pressure game,” Matfield said.

However, he believes the upcoming European fixtures could provide an opportunity for the team to embrace the attacking philosophy associated with Brown, who joined the Springbok coaching staff in 2024.

“I think we might see on the end-of-year tour a bit more of Tony Brown coming in, more expansive and having a go,” he added.

Matfield stressed that South Africa still needed to develop that aspect of their game, suggesting Erasmus would welcome an opportunity for the team to play with greater freedom and take more chances in possession.

The former lock also expects a handful of younger players to receive opportunities during the tour. However, he warned against making too many changes at once, arguing that emerging talents should be introduced alongside experienced players who understand how to win at international level.

The Springboks face Italy in Turin on November 7, France in Paris on November 13 and Ireland in Dublin on November 21.

The tour will offer South Africa an opportunity to strengthen combinations, assess squad depth and refine its attacking approach ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

For Matfield, the challenge is to ensure the Springboks retain their formidable physical identity while adding greater variety and ambition to their attacking game.

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