Matfield tempted by Springbok lure

Home Calling: Matfield keen for June Tests

World Cup-winning lock Victor Matfield has admitted he is interested in returning to South Africa, with the lure of playing for the Springboks weighing heavy on his mind.

Matfield is currently on the sidelines for four weeks at new club Toulon and, although he is settled in France close to the Mediterranean Sea, he feels his future is elsewhere.

"I love playing here, it's very good" admitted Matfield, speaking to The Star newspaper.

"But I still want to play international rugby for South Africa and to do that I probably need to get back home.

"So the ideal for me is, I want to go back home and play for the Springboks."

The star-studded Toulon line-up, which includes George Gregan, Andrew Mehrtens and Anton Oliver are currently flying high in the French Second Division.

But it seems even promotion into the Top 14 competition will not be sufficient to keep the 57-times capped player in France.

However, the ambitious club are unlikely to allow one of their big-money signings to simply walk away.

Subsequently, a deal between SA Rugby and the French club may need to be negotiated if the Springboks are to have Matfield back for the June Test Series against Grand Slam winners Wales.

"I'll do a lot of fitness work before that to get in good shape. And the fact that the old laws will be used in that series will obviously help me," he said.

"Wales were very impressive in the Six Nations and it should be a good series against them, a good match-up. Then there is the Tri-Nations, so there is a lot of rugby to look ahead to."