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JDV shelves plans for Bok return
Friday, November 27
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Recalled Springbok centre Jean de Villiers has happily shelved his original plans in favour of representing his country again when South Africa face Ireland at Croke Park on Saturday.
Munster-bound De Villiers, who was recalled to the Springbok side as cover for the injured Adi Jacobs, cancelled his plans to deliver an address about the Test at Irish club Garryowen, pulled out of a function with Irish great Keith Wood and cancelled his broadcasting duties for BBC all for the opportunity to pull the Green and Gold over his head again.
“I was actually meant to do work with [former Ireland hooker] Keith Wood on Friday evening and then I had a function for [Irish club side] Garryowen on Saturday,” De Villiers explained to AFP.
"Then I was supposed to be doing a broadcast for the BBC. I had quite a full schedule but I had to put that on hold unfortunately - or fortunately rather.
"It's fantastic to be part of the squad, I'm really surprised but it's great to be back."
He deems Saturday’s showdown between southern hemisphere champions South Africa and northern hemisphere champions as “one of the games I will treasure for the rest of my life."
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has temporarily shied away from his policy to exclude overseas-based South African players due to a string of injuries on the world champions’ disappointing end-of-year tour. De Villiers has recalled the trio of CJ van der Linde, BJ Botha and De Villiers, all of whom play their rugby in Ireland.
De Villiers has been impressed by Munster teammate Keith Earls, but says the Ireland-based Boks won’t provide any inside information on the opposition that video analyses won’t reveal.
"He [Earls] is a great player, a great guy, a great youngster and a fantastic player," said de Villiers.
De Villiers was as surprised as anyone by the omission of veteran flyhalf Ronan O'Gara from the starting line-up for Saturday’s Test, but still feels the 93 Test cap veteran could play a key role in the Dublin clash.
"I've sent a text already to Rog [O'Gara], because I think I'll be No.21 and he'll be No.21," he said.
"So we'll definitely be swapping jerseys afterwards.
"Luckily for Ireland and unfortunately for us they have the quality of Rog on the bench so they can call on him at any time.
"It's a great position to be in for Ireland.
"It was a massive call for Declan Kidney to start with Sexton and we'll have to see what Saturday holds."
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But I think Jean will be back in SA after 1 season for the boks.
Can't wait to see a back line of Jean, Habana and Fourie playing for the Stormers.
Just imagine
9. Duvenage
10. Grant
11. Habana
12. De Villiers
13. Fourie Du Preez
14. Nakalavuki / Aplon
15. Joe Pietersen / Jantjes (When on form)
He was not that good this year.
He is the 2nd best, though.
Think he is still a free agent.
Just shows the overseas players still WANT to play for SA-but JDV
did not leave in fear of loosing his position but rather to make some real money towards the end of his rugby carreer.
Reason i like JDV is the man clearly wants to play with the best provincial rugby sides.
Some of you are talking about him goin to the NH for cash? well i can tell you that he may be banking a bigger check with munster but he could have made 3 or 4 times that with one of the french clubs. as far as making big money goes the irish provinces are not the place to be, thats a fact. wales(cardiff blues) and the top english sides would have paid him much much more.
So obviously JDV has a hunger to play decent rugby with a great side. Also the magners league is the best league in europe, best teams/players etc so the guy wants to play the best rugby and not just cash a check.
For that i respect him alot. Great great player.
would be great if a couple irish players can come play in SA. the irish is like the northen hemesphere springboks.