Fit De Villiers rewarded with Springbok call-up

Centre Jean de Villiers continued Wednesday a remarkable recovery from a career-threatening injury when he was picked by South Africa for the first of five pre-Rugby World Cup matches.

The Springboks play a World XV at Newlands stadium in Cape Town Saturday in a non-cap game ahead of the Rugby Championship and World Cup.

De Villiers was included among eight replacements and coach Heyneke Meyer told a media briefing that the centre would play.

There were fears that the 34-year-old South Africa skipper  would be forced to retire after suffering a knee dislocation and ligament damage during a defeat to Wales in Cardiff last November.

While his Springbok team-mates played in the Super 15 or for European clubs, De Villiers underwent extensive rehabilitation.

And his determination to wear the green and gold again was rewarded when Meyer gave him a chance to play for the first time since the injury.

"Jean is a massive asset to South African rugby and it is wonderful that we can give him some game time from the bench," said Meyer.

"His return is testament to his incredible work ethic and professional approach to the game.

"He has put in hours of extra work to get here and is a great example to any player on how to put yourself in the best possible position to recover."
With De Villiers starting on the bench, the captaincy has been given to 38-year-old lock Victor Matfield with scrum-half Ruan Pienaar vice-captain.

Meyer chose two uncapped players -- starting outside centre Jesse Kriel and replacement tighthead prop Vincent Koch -- in his matchday 23.

Kriel emerged as an exciting running full-back for the Northern Bulls in the just-completed Super 15 and Meyer believes he can cope with the positional switch.

"Jesse starred at outside centre for the Junior Springboks last season and I am sure he will slot in easily," the coach said.

Meyer has been unable during four years in charge to find a permanent understudy for veteran tighthead Jannie du Plessis.

Now Koch gets his chance after consistently outstanding Super 15 scrummaging for Western Stormers.

Notable absentees are scrum-half Fourie du Preez, flanker Willem Alberts and No. 8 Duane Vermeulen, who are all injured.  

New Zealand-born World XV coach Robbie Deans names his starting line-up Thursday.

Team (15-1)

Willie le Roux; JP Pietersen, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Bryan Habana; Handre Pollard, Ruan Pienaar; Warren Whiteley, Marcell Coetzee, Francois Louw; Victor Matfield (capt), Eben Etzebeth; Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira  

Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Vincent Koch, Oupa Mohoje, Schalk Burger, Cobus Reinach, Patrick Lambie, Jean de Villiers

Coach: Heyneke Meyer
Source: AFP