When you assemble the most capped Springbok team in history you should not be burdened by questions of leadership.

Yet, the debate over the best Springbok captain over the best Bok hooker intensified yesterday.

Victor Matfield, who would be next in line for the captaincy, yesterday addressed the issue of leadership without mentioning the John Smit-Bismarck du Plessis elephant in the room.

"There are about four or five guys who form a senior leadership group and we work together," said the vice-captain, whose injured hamstring will prevent him from playing against Fiji on Saturday.

"John [Smit], Fourie [du Preez] and Schalla [Schalk Burger] are all part of it, and I think they made fantastic decisions. The decision by Fourie not to go for the poles and go for the touch won us the game," said Matfield about one of the elements that got the Boks out of jail against Wales on Sunday.

"And with three minutes to go, not to go for the poles and to try to get into their half and keep them there, was fantastic. That's what pulled the game through for us.

"Fourie and Schalk worked closely together when John and I were off the field. That's how we work. It is not one guy who makes the decisions, it is a group of guys," said Matfield.

Leading by committee has its own perils but the Boks needed to reorganise after falling short of the mark in the first hour against Wales. The situation demanded decisive leadership, which Du Preez provided, but the cavalry off the bench also helped turn the tide.

Matfield's record 108 caps will be equalled by Smit should he play against Fiji.

Matfield warned against underestimating Fiji. "Fiji had us in trouble in the quarterfinals four years back with 20 minutes to go. It is going to be a tough game, so we need to be 100% prepared come Saturday," he said.