Boks lack Big Match Temperament - Matfield; Planet Rugby

A step-up in big match temperament is all the Springboks need to get that long overdue victory against the All Blacks, says lock Victor Matfield.

South Africa's most decorated Test rugby player would also not be told that the top ranked side in the world is unbeatable and that it would be important for his team to prepare for the big showdown as they would for any other opponent.

Matfield said that the All Blacks have mastered the art of coming out on top in critical moments and that they were able to reach that point because of the solid belief structure in their team.

"They are pulling off the big moments in games," he said.

"If you look throughout the year, there were probably three, four Test matches that they could have lost that they came through and they pulled it off and that probably shows the character and the belief in the team.

"Belief is a funny thing, the more you win, it starts becoming a habit and I think it is a habit with them and they have only lost one game in 42 games and that is unbelievable.

"They know how to pull through tough games as well, so that is probably the one thing that stands out for me."

Addressing the understandable hype that follows the All Blacks wherever they go, the Springbok vice-captain felt that a more relaxed approach in the build-up would best serve their cause.

"The most important thing is, and I know it sounds like a cliché, but you have to do the same things you would do against Australia (for example)," he said.

"Sometimes you can overdo everything, get guys in to talk to the players. I think we just need to get out there and have our normal week be pretty low key and when the game starts I think everyone will be ready.

"You just need to go through your stuff, do your homework and make sure you know everything so that when you go on the pitch you can go and deliver."

Part of Matfield's homework as the sergeant in charge of the line-out calls would be to take a closer look at key individuals like Brodie Retallick who has been sensational for the New Zealanders in all facets of play.

There is, however, chance that the lock forward might miss the Rugby Championship showdown in Johannesburg due to injury which saw him sit out most of training this week.

Not that a change in personnel would make that big a difference to Matfield's mindset.

"He's been outstanding the whole year, he brings a lot more than just the line-outs for them. It will be a big blow for them if he doesn't play, but then they do have a lot of depth."

By Michael Mentz

This the article:

After his third and final pit-stop, Hamilton passed Vettel with seven laps remaining into Turn Six-Seven with scarcely the width of a tyre between the wall and the Englishman’s Mercedes as he surged through. The move was surprisingly risky given that Hamilton, on a fresh set of tyres, had such a vast speed advantage over a Red Bull running on worn-out rubber.

“I wasn’t quite sure what he was doing,” admitted Vettel afterwards. "It seemed like he couldn’t wait to get back into the lead! But here was no point fighting because I didn’t have the tyres to fight him.”

Hamilton himself admitted afterwards that he could have chosen a more judicious opportunity to claim back the lead.

"I came out alongside Ricciardo but I knew that those guys' tyres were going to be destroyed and the car had been feeling great all day, so if I couldn't get past on fresh tyres I'd be pretty useless!" Hamilton told Sky Sports F1.

"But the thing is they [the team] said don't take any risks. So that was on my mind but I thought Sebastian was going to defend or race me. I got a good exit out of Turn Five and I was going for it. It was close - I came through and I was like 'whoa, that was close!"

The Briton more bluntly added in later interviews: “I didn’t pick the perfect time to do it.”

With the move nonetheless completed with the minimum of fuss, Hamilton swiftly re-opened a 13-second lead over the closing six laps to win a race which could prove a key turning point in the Briton's title battle with team-mate Nico Rosberg.

Nowhere does Vettel say that he was surprised by Hamilton. That is the Planet way or reporting.