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Matfield best in the world
02/01/2008 17:56 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Five of the 10 best rugby players in the world are South Africans - and Victor Matfield pips the Pumas utility back Juan Martin Hernandez and compatriot Bryan Habana, who was voted the IRB's Player of the Year in 2007.
Matfield is the best, according to the influential French sporting paper Midi Olympique, who in 2006 rated Dan Cater of the All Blacks the best and before him awarded the title as the world's best to Schalk Burger (2004) and All Black captain Richie McCaw (2005).
Matfield was voted the Player of the Match in the World Cup final in France, which the Springboks won against England.
Midi Olympique's poll was decided by 111 journalists, of whom 56 were from France with the remaining 55 from other countries. He will receive his reward on Thursday.
Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez (fourth), inside centre Francois Steyn (eighth) and flanker Juan Smith (ninth) were the other South Africans in the top 10.
The list also includes two New Zealanders, of whom McCaw (No 7) is one and prop Carl Hayman the other. McCaw is the only previous winner of the award in the top 10.
English strongman prop Andrew Sheridan is 10th on the list and the Argentine captain and scrumhalf Agustin Pichot is sixth.
Matfield could play for Toulon this weekend when his team take on La Rochelle. He will return to Pretoria in March. Matfield will be in Toulon only until March to head up the Bulls' 2008 Super 14 challenge as they try to defend their crown.
Midi Olympique's Top 10 rugby players for 2007 are:
1. Victor Matfield (South Africa - 754 points)
2. Juan Martin Hernandez (Argentina - 751 points)
3. Bryan Habana (South Africa - 745 points)
4. Fourie du Preez (South Africa - 522 points)
5. Carl Hayman (New Zealand - 284 points)
6. Agustin Pichot (Argentina - 251 points)
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand - 223 points)
8. Frans Steyn (South Africa - 172 points)
9. Juan Smith (South Africa - 168 points)
10. Andrew Sheridan (England - 165 points).
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