"It is always tough when you lose your captain.
"He [Smit] has been an inspiration over the last few years and we have worked closely together."
The world-class lock led the Springboks in Smit's absence against Italy last month and took over when he was forced from the field in Wellington last weekend.
Matfield said it was not a snub on Dunedin that the Springboks arrived only yesterday from Wellington to prepare for this Saturday's Tri-Nations test at Carisbrook.
"We just prefer to be based at one place," he said.
"But it is nice to be here and it was a great reception.
"People are very friendly . . . at the moment."
Expecting a vocal and parochial crowd tomorrow, Matfield said it was a nice touch to be greeted by the City of Dunedin Pipe Band, and about 100 fans.
The squad made their way slowly off the plane, with a startled man in a Waikato jersey, a television weatherman and then a local MP heading off the Springboks.
Speedster Bryan Habana was in a more sedate mood when he collected his luggage yesterday, saying he was touched by the southern welcome.
Looking forward to the clash, Habana said he was hoping for better weather than the teams experienced for the Wellington test, and he hadn't even brought his thermals for the encounter.
Young fan Kelland O'Neil (7), of Dunedin, collected signatures from the Springboks but was confident of an All Blacks win.
"They will win by 42 points," he said.
The Springboks have made three changes changes to their starting line-up for the match.
Beaten 19-8 in Wellington last Saturday, the World Cup champions have responded by axing fullback Conrad Jantjes and wing Odwa Ndungane, while Bismarck du Plessis predictably comes in at hooker for captain John Smit, who has returned home with a groin injury.
Veteran fullback Percy Montgomery is promoted from the bench for Jantjes, who loses his spot after five successive tests in the No 15 jersey.
JP Pietersen replaces Ndungane on one wing, while halfback Ruan Pienaar replaces Bolla Conradie on the bench.
Smit left New Zealand on a sour note earlier this week, claiming he sustained the injury when dumped on his back by All Blacks lock Brad Thorn during the opening minutes of the clash at Westpac Stadium.
Thorn was suspended for a week after a Sanzar judicial hearing.
