Jean dedicates 100th Test to family

Jean de Villiers wants to make his last Test at Newlands a memorable one by rallying the Springboks to beat Australia. Photo: Scott Barbour

Jean de Villiers wants to make his last Test at Newlands a memorable one by rallying the Springboks to beat Australia. Photo: Scott Barbour

Published Sep 10, 2014

Share

Wellington: The countdown has begun to one of the biggest Saturdays in the career of Springbok captain Jean de Villiers, who will be earning his 100th Test cap in the Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks.

But in typical fashion yesterday, he poked fun at not receiving any special privileges now that he is about to join the exclusive Bok century club, which comprises Percy Montgomery, John Smit, Victor Matfield and Bryan Habana, who earned his 100th cap against Australia last week.

“No, I was hoping for a lot more! I get to wake up at 4 o’clock in the morning and not being able to sleep, because of the jet-lag. But no privileges. I think getting to 100 is a big enough honour and big enough privilege. It is enough for me,” one of Cape Town’s favourite sons said yesterday.

“I’ve got a lot of friends in New Zealand as well that we’ve made over the years, and I am just fortunate that my family could be here. It’s a pity that my kids and my mom and brother couldn’t be here, but to have my dad and wife here is pretty cool.”

Ahead of his 100th Test, De Villiers was hailed this week by All Black hooker Keven Mealamu as being “such a gentleman and a great man”, as he is regarded as one of the true ambassadors of the sport worldwide.

The Bok captain is dedicating his 100th Test to his wife Marlie, who was set to arrive in Wellington late last night, and his parents André and Louise.

“Family always comes first, and my wife has been unbelievable throughout the years. We’ve got two kids (daughters Layli and Lana) at home, and she’s bringing the third with her, being pregnant again. And by the end of the year, we will have three kids under the age of three.”

Related Topics: