Despite facing the challenge without several key Springboks, Matfield praised the Stormers' resilience and capability.
"They demonstrated at the start of last season’s URC campaign that they can play excellent rugby without their star players,"
He highlighted the Stormers' powerful forward pack and their strategic approach.
"I think they will aim to put the All Blacks under immense pressure in the scrums."
Matfield also noted the flair present in the Stormers' lineup that could spur a surprise.
"They are also the one South African team that boasts a lot of X-factor players. You never know what a player like Warrick Gelant might come up with. I think they won’t hold back; they’ll play attacking rugby and see if they can cause an upset against the All Blacks."
Although Matfield holds a guarded optimism about the Stormers’ chances, he remains realistic about the overall daunting task of overcoming the All Blacks in these matches.
"I’ve said before that it’s going to be very difficult for our four SA teams to beat the All Blacks."
But if there’s a team that could defy the odds, Matfield bets on Ivan van Rooyen's Lions.
"If you look at the Lions’ squad, they are the one URC team that has released the fewest players to the Springboks. That, and the fact that their match against the All Blacks takes place just a few days after the first Test, might give them the best chance of causing an upset."
With such a packed and intense schedule, each team’s performance could hinge on their ability to manage the workload and rise to the occasion against a historically formidable opponent.
As the rugby community watches with bated breath, the outcomes of these matches could lead to new thrilling chapters in the ongoing saga of rugby rivalry between South Africa and New Zealand.
