Win over All Blacks could change World Cup dynamic, says Springbok Victor Matfield

A Springboks victory over New Zealand in the fourth round of the Rugby Championship would go a long way towards changing the mindset of both teams with next year’s World Cup fast approaching, according to South Africa lock Victor Matfield.

The All Blacks top the southern hemisphere competition table and are unbeaten in the tournament since it was expanded to four nations in 2012, winning 14 of 15 games with their only blemish a 12-12 draw against Australia in Sydney last month.

Since they won their second World Cup in 2011 and coach Steve Hansen took control of the side, they have won 31 of 34 tests, drawn twice and lost just once, to England in 2012.

“They don’t get beaten often. They’ve got a great record, especially this team which has a very proud record and is a very good team,” Matfield told reporters on Friday, a day before their clash at Wellington Regional Stadium.

“The more you can beat the All Blacks the better, because you might face them in a World Cup and we know they will go into the World Cup as favourites.

“There are a few of the guys who haven’t beaten them, so it would be great if we can get in their heads that they are not invincible.”

The Springboks have not tasted victory over the All Blacks since a month before the last World Cup when they won 18-5 in Port Elizabeth, their only victory since they beat them three times in a row in 2009 to last clinch the Tri-Nations title.