The Stormers, known for their aggressive defensive play similar to the Springboks', offered the All Blacks a preview of what's waiting in the wings for them in their upcoming encounters with the Springboks. Since other South African teams like the Vodacom Bulls, Sharks, and Lions each use different tactics, Matfield stressed the unique value of this face-off.
"It will help the All Blacks to play these games before they get to South Africa. We don’t play each other in Super Rugby anymore, so there’s a lot that we don’t get that we usually would have got playing Super Rugby against each other,"
Matfield noted on the Rugby Rivals podcast that the All Blacks' experience against the Stormers' rush defence, though challenging, is crucial preparation for their strategies against the Boks. The ability to handle and adapt to such pressure can define the outcomes of high-stakes matches.
"I remember the first time when I played against it, it was the Welsh who started it under Shaun Edwards, and we thought we had plans, but I mean it’s just in your face. As you want to make a decision, someone is coming from the outside where you’re used to everything coming from the inside, and it’s difficult. But they get opportunities now to face it; they will feel it. It’s about getting a rhythm against it and just feeling that pressure now to handle it."
This insight from Matfield offers a peek into the tactical minds at play and underscores the complexities of international rugby where adaptability can be as important as strength and speed.
Indeed, as teams evolve and adapt their strategies, matches like these serve not only as preparation but also as crucial learning opportunities - a fact that Victor Matfield, with years of experience in the thick of such battles, knows all too well.
