Super Rugby
Matfield joins Bulls coaching staff
ESPNscrum Staff
December 5, 2011
Barbarians captain Victor Matfield leads his side out at Twickenham, Australia v Barbarians, Killik Cup, Twickenham, London, England, November 26, 2011
Victor Matfield walking out for his final game of competitive rugby © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Victor Matfield | Heyneke Meyer
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Former South African international second-row Victor Matfield is set to move into the Bulls' backroom staff for the 2012 Super Rugby season.

The 110-cap veteran has hung up his boots after an illustrious career which saw him play a prominent part in the South African side which took the 2007 World Cup. And after playing his final competitive game on November 26 for the Barbarians, Matfield is now set to work in a consultancy role for Super Rugby franchise the Bulls. The 34-year-old is expected to be used as a specialist coach focusing on line-outs and the pack.

Matfield will split his time between the Bulls and a career in rugby broadcasting and Bulls head of rugby Heyneke Meyer is excited by the knowledge Matfield will bring to the training paddock. "This is great news for us," Meyer told Supersport. "Victor has been the backbone of the Bulls for many seasons and to have his continued presence in the team, although unfortunately not as a player anymore, is a real bonus for us.

"He is generally rated as the finest line-out analyst in the game and we are proud and honoured to have him around."

And Matfield is relishing the chance to utilise his wealth of experience while aiding his coaching CV at the same time. "I am very keen to get stuck in [on television] and will give it a full go, but it is no secret that I want to become involved in coaching too. This will afford me the opportunity to do both, something that I am very pleased about."

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