South Africa’s talented lock forward ‘Big’ Victor Matfield will become one of the highest paid rugby players in the world when he joins French second division club Toulon after the Rugby World Cup.
It is reported that he has signed a letter of intent to join Toulon for around R4 million – for six months. They revealed that they had won the race for Matfield’s signature against several French first division (Top 14) teams.
Toulon’s club president Mourad Boudjellal has confirmed the letter, saying “We have reached an agreement with Victor Matfield. It was a priority. He is a great player who, moreover, is young. He will help us with our project [of regaining promotion to the Top 14]. He is one of those players on whom we can build a squad.”
He denied that Matfield’s salary would be astronomical. “It will not be the biggest pay packet in French rugby. It will not even be in the top ten” said Boudjellal.
Matfield’s agent Jason Smith revealed that “Victor has agreed to join Toulon for six months, starting on January 1, 2008. He has an option of extending the contract by another year but will still be available to play for the Springboks.â€
This means that he will be available for the Springbok side to face the Lions on their tour of South Africa in 2009.
Acting CEO of the Blue Bulls, Barend van Graan, was unwilling to comment on the reports of Matfield’s move.
Having failed in their bid top be promoted to the French first division last season, Toulon, under Tim Lane, have gone on a massive spending spree, signing up Matfield, Andrew Mehrtens, Anton Oliver, George Gregan and Tana Umaga as coach.
They also made the somewhat less successful purchase of Lawrence Sephaka…
Lolly Sepoopa will just mess things up for the poor French side. Now they need to sign Steady Eddie Andrews and Splinters Shimange for a frontrow dream team…
French Lard will never be the same with Shimmy over there… I wonder what the frechmen make of this foreign invasion? Sacre Bleu!