Victor Matfield Names the Springbok Forward He Expects to Shine Against Ireland and France
- Victor Matfield identified two Springbok forwards he expects to lead the charge during the November Tests in Europe
- The November Tests come after Rassie Erasmus named six uncapped players in the squad, with several senior Boks ruled out through injury
- •Matfield pointed to a recent Super Rugby clash as evidence of why one forward in particular is primed to shine on wet European pitches
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: Getty Images
Victor Matfield has put his faith in tighthead prop Wilco Louw to be the standout Springbok performer during the upcoming November Tests against Italy, France and Ireland.
The former Springbok lock made his prediction on the Rugby Rivals podcast, published on 29 October 2026, as South Africa prepares for the European leg of the Nations Championship.
Rassie Erasmus named a 37-man squad for the tour, including six uncapped players. The selection was also shaped by a string of notable absentees, with Deon Fourie, Eben Etzebeth, Handré Pollard, André Esterhuizen and Cheslin Kolbe all missing through injury.
Matfield backs Louw and Wiese to fill the void
With experienced campaigners sidelined, Matfield stressed the importance of senior forwards stepping up. He singled out No. 8 Jasper Wiese alongside Louw as the two men he expects to carry the team's forward momentum.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
"Jasper Wiese has been unbelievable for us this whole year," Matfield said, according to SA Rugby Magazine.
"We need him, especially if you look at all the other names in the squad. He's one guy who really needs to carry, especially without a guy like Eben in that second row."
Both Wiese and Louw were central to South Africa's dominant 3-1 series win over the All Blacks, with Wiese starting all four Tests at No 8 and Louw starting three at tighthead prop.
Source: Getty Images
Why Louw stands out for Matfield
However, Matfield reserved his highest praise for Louw going into the Northern Hemisphere fixtures.
"The South African guy who's going to perform is Wilco Louw," he said.
"It was actually unbelievable. The Stormers and the Sharks played against each other three weeks ago, and it was Wilco Louw and Mchunu against Ox Nché and Thomas du Toit, and Wilco just killed them."
Matfield believes that form translates directly to what lies ahead on tour.
"I think Wilco is looking forward to Ireland, he's looking forward to France, and I just think he's going to have such a big impact, especially on those wet fields."
With the Springboks carrying the weight of world champions into a demanding three-Test European run, Louw's scrummaging power and set-piece physicality could prove decisive against sides that will look to use home conditions to their advantage.
Rassie Erasmus warns Springboks ahead of demanding European tour
Briefly News also reported that Rassie Erasmus has warned the Springboks to prepare for three demanding November Tests against Italy, France and Ireland in the Nations Championship.
Erasmus stressed that every point matters as the competition progresses towards Finals Weekend at Twickenham later in the month.
The three fixtures will test the Springboks’ consistency, with France and Ireland presenting particularly difficult challenges.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay informed and follow us on Google News!
Source: Briefly News
