British and Irish Lions

Matfield's contract with Toulon ends in June and he will decide whether to return to the Bulls, who he led to Super 14 glory last year, sign with Northampton Saints or again with the French club.

"I've never made a secret of it that my heart is in Pretoria and with the Bulls," he told Beeld. "But I cannot allow emotions to influence my career decisions.

"I have to provide for my family for a life after rugby. Therefore, any decision about where and for whom I play next will be purely related to the future. I'll think with my head, not my heart.

"My first choice is to play for the Bulls again, but I am certainly considering other offers from Toulon and also from the UK."

The 30-year-old added he would like his final swansong to be during the home series against the British and Irish Lions in mid-2009.

"It remains my dream to finish my rugby career by playing in the Test series against the Lions next year," Matfield said.

Qantas Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans says he picked his Test team for Saturday's opening international based on how his side plans to play rather than on what The British & Irish Lions will bring to the table.

Warren Gatland says he and his British & Irish Lions Test team are fully aware of the size of the threat posed by Qantas Wallabies wing Israel Folau this weekend.

Less than four kilometres away from the Suncorp Stadium, venue for the opening Test between the British & Irish Lions and Qantas Wallabies on Saturday, lies the grave of the man who took the starring role in the first international between the two teams in 1899.