Matfield is known for his exceptional skill at disrupting opposition line-outs and his speed around the field with the former Australian coach Eddie Jones once joking that he should be an Olympic sprinter instead.

Youth
Growing up Matfield had a love for both rugby and cricket, and even represented Far North Schools in the latter. When an injury affected his batting and bowling he decided to pursue rugby instead and was selected for Far Norths junior Craven Week team before playing lock for Pietersburg Highschool. He made it to the Craven Week competition for highschools in two successive years before being selected for Far North’s senior provincial team while still in his final year of high school.

Junior rugby career
After school, Matfield went to study at the University of Pretoria where he made the university’s under-21 side. It did not take long for him to be selected for the Blue Bulls under-21 side as well.

In 1997, Matfield was selected for the under-21 Springbok side captained by Bobby Skinstad. Matfield was also selected for the 1998 squad.

Senior rugby career
A big turning point in Matfield’s career came when he decided to leave the Blue Bulls for the Griquas in 1999, where he was also selected to represent the Cats in the Super 12 that year. The move allowed him to prove his worth, and in 2000 he was given the opportunity to represent the Bulls Super 12 team.

His hard work did not go unnoticed, and in 2001 he was finally selected for the Springbok squad, making his debut on 30 June 2001 against Italy. Matfield went on to play a major role in the Springboks’ renaissance in 2004 and 2005; in the latter year, he made the five-man shortlist for IRB World Player of the Year.

More recently, he has been linked with a move to Leicester Tigers of the English Premiership after the 2007 Rugby World Cup.