Victor Matfield has confirmed that he will be playing for Toulon next year, despite what the Blue Bulls organization seems to think. Speaking to French newspaper Midi Olympique, he said that he would stay if his future in South Africa was more secure.
“So far there has been no proposal of any sort from any union in South Africa. If Heyneke Meyer was to be Springbok coach it would be a good thing and I would be tempted to stay.
“But I have a family and I want to settle financially. The future here is a bit vague, and no-one can offer any certainty on anything. I would like to know who is going to coach the Springboks after this year, but everything is up in the air.
“I will play in Toulon in January. Everything has been very fast. Toulon are eager to have me, they really wanted me, so everything has moved very quickly. There are one or two details still to tie up, but it’s really just a formality. I want this because I want to be relaxed in my mind so that I can concentrate on the Springbok build-up to the World Cup.
“I want to be able to approach the World Cup without any distractions. So it’s better that I do everything now. The challenge with Toulon will be very exciting. There are so many good players who want to sign so that they can be promoted to the first division. Apart from George Gregan and Andrew Mehrtens, we have my Bulls teammate Wessel Roux, as well as Lawrence Sephaka, and All Black hooker Anton Oliver has signed as well.
“Let’s just say that the president of the Toulon club has come with some very convincing, enticing proposals. I want to link up with them for two seasons. They are agreeable to that, but in the beginning we will be taking it one year at a time.
“I am sure if everything goes to plan we will be promoted. I start on 1 January. I will need a bit of a break after the World Cup.
“I don’t think that there will be a problem playing for the Springboks if the South African Rugby Union (SARU) accepts that players can play abroad and still represent the country.
“The Tri-Nations games are out of the French season, and it is the same with the Lions tour. I really don’t see why it should be a problem.”