Munster mates on collision course
Jean de Villiers talks about his friendship with Ronan O’Gara, his unexpected call up and why the tour has been a success.
De Villiers knew the deal when he signed for Munster. The northern sojourn represented an opportunity to test his skills in an unfamiliar environment, but it also meant his Springbok career was put on hold. The Bok centre accepted the terms, as he felt it a necessary sacrifice if he was to become a better player.
On Wednesday, De Villiers received a phone call that told him that for just one weekend, he could have his cake and eat it. He will continue to play for Munster in the coming months, but because of the injury to Adi Jacobs, he will play for the Springboks against Ireland on Saturday.
‘I was in the gym on Wednesday morning and my coach told me he received a call from Andy Marinos. The call said they might use me against Ireland, and later in the day I got another call to tell me I was in.
‘I always knew what I was getting into when I moved here and I know nothing’s changed. I have no regrets of moving here and want to make a success of my time with Munster. I’m glad to get an opportunity, but I know it’s just for one game,’ he told keo.co.za.
‘I was actually surprised when Peter de Villiers sent the other guys [the dirt-trackers] home, because that really opened it up for me.’
De Villiers will play from the bench this Saturday as will his Munster team-mate O’Gara for the Irish. The two were opponents in the 2009 British & Irish Lions series, but have since become good friends at Munster. He frowned when asked about the alleged animosity between the Bok and Lions players.
‘I know how disappointed ROG was to be dropped for Jonny Sexton,’ said De Villiers. ‘I’ll probably send him a few more texts before the Test just to rib him. It’s going to be a great day for me, because I get to play for my country and I get to play against some of my mates. I’m sure we’ll have a few beers afterward.
‘I think all the talk of bad blood was unnecessary. I don’t think there was any bad blood and I don’t know where it comes from. I have a lot of friends in Ireland and I’m really looking forward to this game.’
De Villiers also rubbished talk of providing his team-mates with Irish secrets.
‘I suppose I could offer secrets to both sides,’ he joked. ‘Seriously, I don’t know how I would be able to aid the Boks in that respect, we all know the Irish psyche and the way they like to play. We all saw most of them when they toured with the Lions earlier this year.’
The Bok centre is also looking forward to playing against another Munster player in Keith Earls, who will start on the wing in place of the injured Luke Fitzgerald.
‘Keith has all the skills and attributes and has really settled well on the wing. I’m sure he’ll make the most of his opportunity this weekend.
‘I haven’t seen much of Sexton, and it’s a big call to start him ahead of ROG. We’ll see how it works out for them on Saturday, but you have to say Ireland are in a good position if the have ROG on the bench.’
Aside from losing to France, South Africa also failed in the midweek matches against Leicester and Saracens. De Villiers said that these games need to be viewed in context and that a lot of good has come from touring with an extended group.
‘It was disappointing to hear about those losses and I received a lot of chirps when I went to Munster training. But you have to look at what we gained. Some players have put their hands up in those games which is a big positive. Sometimes you have to look past results in games like that. Unfortunately we are a results-driven country, but it’s important to remember there were some good performances.’
De Villiers will reassess his future with Munster in February as he has a clause in his contract that allows him to opt out after one season. With the World Cup just around the corner, a return to South Africa seems likely.
By Jon Cardinelli, in Dublin
November 26th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
The man!
November 26th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
@grant10: You forgot “dragons” dude
Come back to Wp next year Jean – with Fourie, Habana, De Jongh and you, it would be an awesome back line!
November 26th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Finally a respected Bok admits that there is no bad blood between
Ireland and South Africa. All that rubbish is just spin by the media to hype up the match. As irish fans we are really looking forward to the game to test ourselves against the number 1 team in the world.
Reading some of the comments posted on other threads by some Bok fans makes you wonder what planet they live on. I’ve never seen such bullsh*t. Accusations that ireland are a dirty team?! That we hate South Africans?! That Brian O’Driscoll is a **** player!? Get real.
I’ll be at Croke Park on Sat. Hopefully the weather will calm down by then. Storms and floods here at the moment. Come on Ireland!
November 26th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
@ultra vires: Amen to that!
November 26th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Sorry bru. We are ranked a lowly 2nd in the world.
November 26th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
They chose you because you the best Jean.
November 26th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
SA really showing Ire some respect. Picking their best available bar Frans Steyn. This is no dirt tracker team.
This is the match that SA really want to win.
The blooding new players has been put aside.
I think that it’s the best way.
Both teams near full strength.
Hopefully will be a good one
November 26th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
I would maybe have allowwed Juan de Jongh to stay on an subject him to some sterner tests against Ireland or France (instead of Adi). I believe he has what is required.
November 27th, 2009 at 2:49 am
@Taahirah: That IS pretty lowly.
November 27th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Yes please… Come back to SA before 2011!
Bring Juandre Kruger and Frans Steyn with you…
Lock possibilities post Matfield-Botha era:-
Andries Bekker
Juandre Kruger
Gerhard Mostert
David de Villiers
De Kock Steenkamp
Willem Steenkamp
Martin Muller
Allistair Hargreaves
Anyone know the young lock from Cheetahs? (can’t remember his name now…)
November 27th, 2009 at 8:37 am
@TheTackler: Oh my word! The infamous Tackler has responded to one of my posts! I have finally arrived here on keo.co.za!
November 27th, 2009 at 8:41 am
@Gambit25: Watch Mostert shine at the Sharks. Bok training squad within a year.
November 27th, 2009 at 8:43 am
@ultra vires: @LeinsterNM: Nice to have some Irishmen amongst us! Jealous of you guys at Croke this Saturday.
November 27th, 2009 at 8:45 am
@Gambit25:
No Anton Van Zyl…?
Good on you Jean… hope you get some decent time on the field…!!
November 27th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Kearney is the best fullback in the world right now. BOD probably best 13. Other than those 2 we should match them and beat them.
November 27th, 2009 at 9:56 am
@Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): Agree 100%
Respect to Jean and PietSnor for the choices and the way they handled this potentially delicate situation. I believe Jean when he says there is no animosity between the teams off. the filed, it seems that the British/Irish press relish these ‘bad blood’ and ‘revenge’ type stories. It is all **** to sell newspapers. Gutter reporting.
I see it is the same with the cricket tour – although admittedly with KP. in the other team there will always be a bit of that…
November 27th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
@bokfan1: Haha, I’m starting to fear the Stormers, that backline is very scary. Let’s hope Jean wants a new challenge and takes up the opportunity to surf in the Indian Ocean instead of freezing his balls off in the Atlantic
Sharks need an inside centre…
November 27th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
@SimiJan: Hahaha, thats one thing I am scared of – he comes back to SA but wants to check out a different union… although the Sharks have too many centres already! You even send your good ones like Barrit overseas!
Although if you take Jean, maybe Frans Steyn will come back to WP and be #12 or #15?
November 27th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
@Taahirah: Tackler once agreed with one of my posts which made me immediately change my position.
November 27th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
@bokfan1: We have bugger all inside centres left! We’ve sold them all. We’re having to buy Maties’ Jean Stemmet. I don’t even know whether he’s a 12 or 13. But we’re desperate, haha.
What worries me, is that you’ll get both de Villiers and Steyn next year and it’ll be a two horse race between the Bulls and the Stormers.
November 27th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
@SimiJan: In a year or 2 there will be some brilliant youngsters up for #12 in KwaZulu bro! Or try Kanko at 12?
November 27th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
@bokfan1: The under 21 guys? Most of them have been sold upstate already! I wouldn’t mind that experiment actually – Kanko has the right physical attributes for a 12, and he basically played in midfield for the Boks against Italy, but, although he was a 7s player, he doesn’t have the distribution or kicking game necessary.
But if Craig Burden can move from Centre to Hooker, surely No 8 to Centre should be possible?
November 27th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I can say that De Villiers tries very hard . But he is not gifted. There are many better than him.
November 27th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
@SimiJan: Steyn has signed with France for 3 years! so if he comes back it will only be in 2012. What about Keegan at centre? he is way too small to be a forward his hands are good, and he is fast? and his work rate is really high. Worried we will lose him now that Alberts is coming over.
November 27th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
@Sharksgirl: He will certainly have a clause in his contract that will allow an early release. I reckon we’ll see him back in SA sooner rather than later.
The kid’s a glory boy, he’ll want the opportunity to win 3 back-to-back World Cups in his career, so he won’t pass up 2011, even if he displays the nonchalant attitude of “Meh, I’ve already got one of those medals”. And the only thing that I think will influence a return to the Sharks for him is the Grey College contingent. The pay cheque and the opportunity to play alongside his fellow backline Springboks, week in and week out, will see him going to the Cape, I’m afraid…