My first conversation with Jean de Villiers happened three days before the 2002 IRB U21 World Cup final against Australia in South Africa.
I did a telephonic interview with a then very young De Villiers, who’d been included on the wing to face Australia in the final at Ellis Park. Captain Clyde Rathbone was in the No13 jersey and Dewey Swartbooi had been picked at inside centre.
It was a casual chat, focused mainly on the reasons why coach Jake White had decided to put him in the No14 jersey, rather than in the centres. He took every question in his stride, didn’t get flustered or upset when I quizzed him about his perceived weaknesses in defence and ended the conversation by thanking me for taking time out to talk to him.
I was hugely impressed with the man, never mind the fact he was one of the big stars of the victorious Junior Boks, scoring four tries in the tournament.
Just a few months later he’d make his Bok debut against France, but a knee ligament injury ended his match five minutes into the contest. He’d miss the 2003 World Cup because of it but he’d eventually get cap No2 and now after 14 years, with a string of other injuries, he’s been forced to call time on his career, missing out on a full World Cup again.
De Villiers is one of the greatest players this country has produced and despite what many critics have said about the 34-year-old over the last two years, he should be celebrated as such.
He has fought back from numerous injuries over the years to remain the first choice centre for the likes of White, Peter de Villiers and Heyneke Meyer. He has been a star performer for the Stormers and Western Province and the fact he actually made it to the 100-Test mark and to the World Cup is remarkable. His fighting spirit and determination to come back from last November’s knee injury to represent his country and lead his men shows what he is made of.
Yes, De Villiers had no form going into the World Cup, but he was much-improved in the win over Samoa and, had he stayed fit, would have played a massive role in the remaining matches. It’s not only his defensive organisation, intelligent distribution skills and eye for the intercept that will be missed in England, but his leadership especially.
If you’ve heard De Villiers talk you’ll know he’ll run through walls for his team, his coaches and his country. It wasn’t supposed to end this way.
De Villiers’ absence leaves a gaping hole among the Bok backs – there’s now very little experience in midfield – and I sense many in South Africa will only appreciate his value now that he’s gone. - The Star