Victor Matfield aims to regain his status as the world's premier No 5 lock and go to the 2015 World Cup in England.

The 36-year-old's comeback was finally confirmed on Friday after three months of speculation. 

Matfield's last match was for the Springboks in their 2011 World Cup quarter-final against the Wallabies. Over the past two years he has worked for SuperSport and then as the Bulls forwards and attack coach.

'My main aim is to play for the Springboks, otherwise I'd never have played again. I want to go and play at the World Cup,' Matfield told EWN Sport. 'For me, if I want to play, I want to be the best again.'

Matfield says his age shouldn't count against him.

'Like the people say with young players, if you’re good enough, you’re old enough, so if you’re good enough, you can’t be too old. It’s all about conditioning. If anyone comes to the field and sees me running with the younger players at the Bulls, they’ll see that I’m in good shape.'

Matfield believes he will add value to the Boks even if he doesn't get much game time.

'There are some guys who I really rate very highly [in his position], and I know it’s not going to be easy. But maybe if I play with them I can be a right-hand man like Os du Randt was when he came back into the Springbok squad [in 2007]. Even Bobby Skinstad, who didn’t play a lot at the World Cup, had a huge impact on the squad.'

Heyneke Meyer on Matfield's return

Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images