De Villiers bows out of RWC again
Springbok captain Jean de Villiers announced his retirement from international rugby on Sunday, September 27.
SPRINGBOK captain Jean de Villiers announced his retirement from international rugby on Sunday, September 27, following a jaw fracture he sustained in a Rugby World Cup (RWC) pool B match against Samoa on Saturday.
The Springboks scored their first win of the 2015 RWC when they beat Samoa 46-6 at Villa Park in Birmingham.
The 34-year-old De Villiers, who captained the Boks 37 times, has retired as the second most capped Springbok captain of all time, and is currently the fourth most capped player in the history of South African test rugby, with 109 caps.
“When I got injured yesterday and I left the field, I knew that I had played my last test for South Africa,” said De Villiers, who became the 54th Springbok captain when he was appointed by Heyneke Meyer in June 2012.
“Injuries are part of rugby and I’ve had my fair share, so by now I know how to cope with them. It’s very sad, but life goes on – I need to take it all in and move forward.
“The last time I got injured in a World Cup match and had to go home, was in 2007, also against Samoa, and that finished well for the Boks, so hopefully it will happen again.
“I was quite sad on the one hand when I came off the field, as I knew I won’t get the opportunity to play for my country again. Having played for South Africa for 13 years, I’ve been fortunate to experience many great things and I got to know so many good friends, but you never think it would end like this.
“It has happened now and I’ll be eternally grateful for the time I’ve had in the Springbok jersey. I would like to wish the team all the very best and as a former Springbok, I’m now their number one supporter.
“They still have a massive game this weekend and I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me but rather to focus on the task at hand against Scotland.
“In Heyneke they have a wonderful coach who knows what it takes to succeed and who has given me the opportunity to lead my country for the last four years. I will be eternally grateful to him.”
De Villiers thanked his family for their role in his career, especially his wife, Marlie, their three children, Layli, Lana and Luca, as well as his parents, André and Louise, and his brother, Andre-Louis, with whom he played for the u.19 SA team in 1999.
“Without my family I would not have made it to where I am today,” said De Villiers.
“Probably my favourite moment as a Springbok was my 101st test at DHL Newlands with my two daughters in my arms as we took to the field. We recorded a brilliant victory against Australia, I was fortunate to score two tries and afterwards I could play with my children on the field.
“But there were many, many moments in my career that I will look back on with fondness. The same goes for all the wonderful friends I’ve made and people I’ve met.
“I’ve had a blessed career and I will be forever grateful for that.”
De Villiers will return to South Africa on Monday to possibly have surgery on his fractured jaw.
