It is far from 'game over' for Victor Matfield

Having played 30 minutes in his much-anticipated return from retirement, Victor Matfield reckons he is good to go for a full game if called upon.

The Bulls took on the Stormers in a Super rugby warm-up match in Polokwane on Saturday and the game's biggest moment was when the 36-year-old Matfield ran onto the pitch to a huge roar from the crowd, ending a two-year hiatus from the game.

Matfield announced his retirement after the 2011 World Cup.

I asked the 2m- tall lock if he was happy with the 30 minutes of game time he got ahead of the start of the Super 15 competition and if he felt ready to play 80 minutes again.

"Ja, definitely," he said.

"I never played only 30 minutes, I was always used to playing 80, so I felt pretty good. No aches or pains. I'm very happy. I'm satisfied with my condition. I'm surprised. I thought the knocks were going to be worse but I took it alright."

Not many sportsmen get to experience a second coming.

Matfield made his professional debut in 1999 and his career has been decorated with accolades. His experience is second to none, but he felt as nervous as a rookie when he ran onto the pitch on Saturday.

"I must say I was a bit worried, but it felt good

"[The pressure] was pretty much the same as my debut, but there was maybe more of it this time around. When I went for the warm-up everybody cheered, I knew I had to perform. I'm used to the pressure - it was good. I'm quite happy with the outing. It's just a pity we didn't win, though it was only a warm-up game."

The Bulls lost 26-19 but Matfield was pleased with his performance.

"It felt very good. I thought the line-outs went very well. I put in quite a few tackles - that felt good. I'm happy with the way things turned out."

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke was impressed by Matfield .

"It's great to have him back. His experience will be crucial in the competition when we play the big games.

"I think he came through with flying colours this weekend. This was exactly the contest we wanted before Super rugby. I think we did well in all facets of the game," Ludeke said.

The game was not without its injury scares.

Deon Stegmann came off the field in the first half as a precautionary measure. But doctors do not believe the groin niggle he suffered is serious.

A close eye will be kept on another flanker, Arno Botha, the most serious casualty on the day, after he sustained another injury to his left knee, after being out of action last season.

The full extent of the injury will be known today.