Jean de Villiers: Boks don’t stand a chance against Proteas

Springbok centre Damian de Allende, Proteas batsman JP Duminy and former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers (L-R) will all take part in this year's Nelson Mandela Legacy Cup clash at Newlands on Thursday. Photo: Ashfak Mohammed

Springbok centre Damian de Allende, Proteas batsman JP Duminy and former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers (L-R) will all take part in this year's Nelson Mandela Legacy Cup clash at Newlands on Thursday. Photo: Ashfak Mohammed

Published Dec 7, 2016

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If you thought the Springboks had selection issues on their recent tour, there’s greater confusion ahead of the Nelson Mandela Legacy Cup clash at Newlands on Thursday.

“We have one opening batsman, one fast bowler, three wicket-keepers and four spinners. And everyone else wants to bat between number eight and 11!” former Bok captain Jean de Villiers said on Wednesday at Newlands ahead of the big T20 clash (6pm start).

The Boks won the last encounter by five wickets at the Wanderers in December 2014 – with Victor Matfield scoring 62 – while the Proteas took the honours by 14 runs in January 2014.

This time around, De Villiers – who touts himself as a classy wicket-keeper – is not giving his rugby teammates any hope. “I don’t think we stand a chance! But we have looked at the footage and found quite a few weaknesses in JP’s batting. I got sick the day before the last game, and had a knee injury ahead of the first one, so I can’t wait to play in this event for the first time.”

Proteas star JP Duminy, though, is not going to take things lightly, especially with former South African captain Graeme Smith acting as a player/coach for the Boks.

“I can’t believe Graeme is playing for the Boks. Normally you can only bowl one bouncer per over, but I think we might bowl two or three to Graeme,” Duminy quipped.

Flyhalf Pat Lambie is believed to be the top batsman in the Bok side, having captained his school Michaelhouse’s First XV. Centre Damian de Allende says he can “hit a few shots”, and with his height, he send down a few bumpers as well.

But after all the fun and games, the bigger picture is about raising funds for the Nelson Mandela Foundation, with the target being R1 million. “It’s such an honour to play in Tata Madiba’s name. He did such a lot for us, and this is one way we can do our part. Sport brings our nation together, and I hope everybody comes out to Newlands tomorrow,” De Villiers said.

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