Matfield prepares for 100th Springbok test

Lock Victor Matfield will play his 100th test when South Africa take on Australia in the Tri-Nations on Sunday morning (NZ time).

Matfield becomes the third South African to reach the landmark, following captain John Smit and the team's kicking coach Percy Montgomery.

The Springboks, though, have lost all four of their Tri-Nations games this year, prompting media speculation the likes of Smit, Matfield and other World Cup winners are nearing the end of their careers.

Defeat on Sunday would serve as another massive blow to coach Peter de Villiers.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is also under pressure back home, his team having won five of the 15 Tri-Nations tests they have played while he has been in charge.

"The Springboks were unlucky in many ways last weekend (in the 29-22 defeat by New Zealand)," he told reporters early today (NZ time).

"They basically led the whole way so that would have been a bitter pill to swallow, particularly for John Smit. They'll be grumpy and looking to take it out on us."

Deans said Matfield and Smit would still be a force in next year's World Cup in New Zealand.

"There's no doubt whatsoever that Matfield and Smit should be there, they understand the arena, they know what it takes to win the World Cup. They have the experience and we've seen the value of that," said Deans.

The Wallabies hammered the Springboks 30-13 a month ago in Brisbane, flanker David Pocock setting up victory by demolishing the world champions at the breakdown.

KNEE INJURY

With Heinrich Brussow out for the year with a knee injury, the South Africans have struggled to secure quick ball from the rucks and slow down the tempo of the opposition's play.

However, the Springboks have elected against choosing a specialist fetcher this weekend, pinning hopes on the seasoned trio of Schalk Burger, Juan Smith and Pierre Spies.

"We must look after that old devil David Pocock on the floor and we do have a plan. If we focus on what we do and do it properly, and have a bit of luck at the rucks, then it can go nicely there," De Villiers said.

South Africa's defence has also been uncharacteristically sieve-like in this year's Tri-Nations, conceding 13 tries in four matches.

The elusive running skills of Quade Cooper, Matt Giteau and Will Genia will provide them with another stern test.

"The Wallabies have a very tricky halfback-inside centre combination and they will definitely ask questions of our defence," said centre Jaque Fourie.

"We pride ourselves on our defence and it was awful in our first three matches. Last Saturday we showed a lot more urgency, the work rate was higher, and we need to put players back in the tackle. We want to shut down teams in the first three phases."

SOUTH AFRICA: 15-Francois Steyn, 14-JP Pietersen, 13-Jaque Fourie, 12-Jean de Villiers, 11-Bryan Habana, 10-Morne Steyn, 9-Francois Hougaard, 8-Pierre Spies, 7-Juan Smith, 6-Schalk Burger, 5-Victor Matfield, 4-Flip van der Merwe, 3-Jannie du Plessis, 2-John Smit, 1-Gurthro Steenkamp.

AUSTRALIA: 15-Kurtley Beale, 14-James O'Connor, 13-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12-Matt Giteau, 11-Drew Mitchell, 10-Quade Cooper, 9-Will Genia, 8-Richard Brown, 7-David Pocock, 6-Rocky Elsom, 5-Nathan Sharpe, 4-Dean Mumm, 3-Salesi Ma'afu, 2-Saia Faingaa, 1-Benn Robinson.

- Reuters