There’s a bitter irony to the distinguished career of Jean de Villiers: the 34-year-old is South Africa’s second-longest serving captain in terms of games – only the indomitable John Smit has more – and the Springboks most-capped centre of all time, yet retired this week having only played in just six World Cup matches.
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De Villiers can be considered among the unluckiest of stars when it comes to the opportunity to grace rugby’s grandest stage. Had fate dealt him a more agreeable hand, De Villiers theoretically would have appeared in four Rugby World Cups.
Instead the reality was rather different. Within five minutes of his debut for South Africa in 2002 he suffered a major knee injury keeping him out of contention for 2003. The 2007 tournament triumph was bittersweet as he played only in the Boks’ opening match, tearing a bicep against Samoa. And then four years later in New Zealand, a series of injuries kept his involvement mainly on the bench.
The latest injury to befall him was a broken jaw sustained in South Africa’s morale-boosting triumph over Samoa. A disappointing end to an international career that deserved more. Yet, De Villiers’ departure from England, sad as it may seem, could prove a blessing for the Boks, and maybe not even one in disguise.
Many rugby fans within the Rainbow Nation were slightly irked by his place in the squad in the first place, given his lack of rugby due to a separate jaw injury and overall poor form. Then there was his presence as an automatic selection in the XV as captain, unjustified and only on name rather than merit.
Sad see Jean De Villiers retiring from International rugby @Springboks …someone I’ve watched and learnt a lot from for years..great career
— Jamie Roberts (@Jamiehuwroberts) September 28, 2015
His performance against Japan – granted he wasn’t the only one – intensified the criticism. De Villiers appeared off the pace, lacking in strength, power and poise. But Heyneke Meyer persisted and picked him again for Samoa. The performance was much improved but the old De Villiers still wasn’t there. He looked a shell of the player he once was.
Now, the decision to field him against Scotland has been taken out of Meyer’s hands but South Africa are blessed with three of the best young centres in the world in Damian de Allende, 23, Jesse Kriel, 21, and De Villiers’ replacement Jan Serfontein, 22.
With no De Villiers the options are more than a little exciting. The former two are the real deal – Kriel perhaps the most naturally talented player in the entire squad – and should be paired for Saturday’s crunch pool clash against Scotland, adding even more vibrancy to a backline that already includes Bryan Habana, JP Pietersen, Handre Pollard and Willie le Roux.
With the Japan defeat now behind them, the Springboks look very dangerous indeed.
