Peter Jackson: Victor Matfield’s return can help Wales come good

Wales made their first stand in the Southern Hemisphere 50 years ago in the place they used to call the last outpost of the British Empire – Durban. After an abortive defence of their Six Nations title, the deposed champions venture out into King’s Park next Saturday for the first time since the pioneering match in 1964. They lost back then and they have been losing south of the Equator just about ever since.
The Springboks will see their visit as a useful two-Test warm-up for the heavyweight business of the Rugby Championship, the start of a punishing schedule with the ultimate objective of recapturing the World Cup.
While Wales fret about surviving their swim with England and Australia in the same pool at Twickenham, their opponents in Durban next week will settle for nothing less than winning the trophy they lost in New Zealand four years ago. Victor Matfield will end three years’ retirement because he believes that is a realistic goal.
“If I did not think I could play in another World Cup and be part of a winning South African team, I would not be playing again,” he said. “That was a big motivating factor for me.”
The resurrection of a second row colossus at the venerable age of 37 ought to have Wales straining at the leash, ready to bust the proverbial gut as a way of reminding Matfield that the game has moved on in his absence. His selection comes with the tacit assumption that he is still one of the greatest locks in the game.
Head coach Heyneke Meyer has no doubts on that score after talking his protégé out of retirement. “Heyneke phoned me to ask about making a comeback,” Matfield said. “I was very tempted because he and I have worked closely together for many years. He was really the guy who developed my career.”
Meyer clearly believes that Matfield’s towering presence will make the Springboks even harder to beat. “Victor has done it before and done it with distinction,” Meyer said. “It would have been stupid not to have spoken to him. He’ll be great and his appointment is also good for the team.”
Half a century of Welsh Tests beyond Europe has produced a net result which leaves ample room for improvement – 26 defeats in 27 matches.  Wales have lost eight out of eight in South Africa, seven out of seven in New Zealand and eleven out of twelve in Australia.
Sydney is the one exception and has remained so since Wales beat the Wallabies there in 1969. Beating the Springboks in one of their most forbidding citadels would knock that victory of 45 years ago into a cocked hat.
It is a fact of rugby life that the double World Cup winners have never lost in Durban to any of the home countries. Like Wales, Ireland and Scotland have not won in South Africa.
England have done it three times, under John Pullin in Johannesburg in 1972, in Cape Town 20 years ago and, most recently, at Bloemfontein in 2000 thanks to nine Jonny Wilkinson goals. France can boast six Test wins in South Africa but nothing better in Durban than two draws.
At least Wales have the law of averages on their side, not that it’s done them a fat lot of good over the years.