World Cup-winning lock Victor Matfield has resumed his rugby playing career after three years out of the game and could yet feature in the 2015 tournament at the age of 38 after his return was welcomed by South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer.
Matfield, one of the most dominant and athletic second rows in the game at his peak, signed a two-year contract with the Pretoria-based Blue Bulls on Friday and immediately sparked speculation that he could feature in his fourth World Cup.
Matfield previously played Super Rugby in 2011 and won the last of his 110 caps for the Springboks at the World Cup in New Zealand the same year.
He has signed a playing contract for the 2014 and 2015 seasons and will then re-join the coaching staff at the Bulls for 2016 and 2017 having been in the latter role for the past 12 months.
Matfield will be on the bench for Saturday's Super Rugby warm-up match between the Bulls and Stormers in Polokwane.
