Victor Matfield eyes Bulls hot seat

26 June 2015 - 02:08 By Sbu Mjikeliso

Victor Matfield is once again eyeing the Bulls' coaching job, which was vacated by Frans Ludeke earlier this week. But he says his immediate focus is on the Springboks. The World Cup-winning lock, who has been involved in a dual player-coach role at the Bulls since coming out of retirement, now wants to run the show.Ludeke left the Bulls on Wednesday after eight seasons, rejecting a technical office job he was earmarked for after surrendering the coaching reins two weeks ago.Matfield is reportedly in a tight two-way race with Bok assistant coach Johann van Graan for the job."No one has spoken formally to me about the job at this moment but I'll have a look at my options next year," said Matfield, who was the Bulls attacking coach during their disappointing Super rugby campaign."I've always said I love the Bulls. They are very close to my heart but we'll have to wait and see. For now I'm only focusing on helping the Springboks win the World Cup."Matfield also revealed that Ludeke was off to Fiji, where he will link up with the likes of Crusaders' winger Nemani Nadolo, to help the islanders with the World Cup.At 38, he will put his body on the line in a World Cup for the fourth straight time.And, unlike on the eve of previous Rugby Championship tournaments, Bok coach Heyneke Meyer will not shield his players ahead of the World Cup.His predecessors, Peter de Villiers and Jake White, rested star players before the World Cup, often sending weakened Bok teams, especially on away legs.With nothing in the trophy cabinet since taking over in 2012, Meyer will look hungrily at this year's edition...

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