Jean coming home

16 Feb 2010

Munster have announced that Jean de Villiers will return to South Africa at the end of the European season.

The Irish club reported on their website on Monday that De Villiers will leave at the end of May to make himself available for the Springbok World Cup squad next year.

‘I feel this is perhaps my last opportunity to represent my country at the World Cup and after consultation with Saru it has become clear that to qualify for selection players must be playing their rugby in South Africa in the season leading up to the competition,’ De Villiers said in a statement.

‘I’m thoroughly enjoying my time here in Munster and I think it would be fair to say that had the World Cup not been a factor, then I would be remaining for at least the next 2 seasons. I would not rule out returning here after RWC 2011 either, if the opportunity arose.

‘For now though, my entire focus is on the Magners League and European Cup campaigns. There’s a lot of rugby to be played yet in the red shirt and I’m looking forward immensely to continuing my involvement with a great squad.’

Munster chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald added that the club supports De Villiers’ decision.

‘Jean missed the 2003 World Cup through injury and played just 40 minutes in 2007. So his desire to represent his country in the most prestigious rugby competition is totally understandable,’ said Fitzgerald.

‘He made us aware of this scenario before he joined us last September. He has been a hugely positive addition to the squad this season. His influence has grown and continues to grow as he becomes more and more comfortable within the squad.

‘While he will be a major loss, we fully respect his ambition and he will leave us at the end of the season with our very best wishes.’



118 Comments

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  • 101.Charlie: Reply to this comment
    16 Feb 2010, 12:29 pm

    @Duffman: Fourie Du Preez also looked dreamy just after kick-off :wink:

  • 102.Charlie: Reply to this comment
    16 Feb 2010, 12:46 pm

    Lights out: Since the days of Rassie Erasmus’ disco lights the Cheetahs have always been at the forefront of technology as they look to give their team an on-field advantage. We are reliably informed that their latest defensive manoeuvre, dramatically put on display last Friday, is called “The Tripswitch”.

  • 103.Joke_Wrong: Reply to this comment
    16 Feb 2010, 12:54 pm

    Awesome Awesome news. Welcome home Jean!

    Can’t wait to see you back in a Bok jumper!

  • 104.Oubaas2009: Reply to this comment
    16 Feb 2010, 13:02 pm

    Hope JDV doesn’t go back to the Storm Hers.

  • 105.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    16 Feb 2010, 13:36 pm

    We want all the best players in NZ at the Greatest Rugby Show on Earth, in 2011, so this is great news.

  • 106.Oubaas2009: Reply to this comment
    16 Feb 2010, 13:40 pm

    Jean’s cousin once visited Durban so he has Shark written all over him.

  • 107.WP_: Reply to this comment
    16 Feb 2010, 13:42 pm

    9 Januarie
    10 Grant
    11 Habana
    12 de Villers
    13 Fourie
    14 Pietersen
    15 Jantjes

    Next season. Wow.

  • 108.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    16 Feb 2010, 13:47 pm

    @Black Panther:

    You reckon?

  • 109.gunther: Reply to this comment
    16 Feb 2010, 13:49 pm

    I don’t know what the fuss is… the guy will play 1 super 14 to be local for the world cup and then will move to france afterwards…for a team looking to build for the future is that ideal?

    however for a desperate team he will be very attractive…

    expect the lions and sharks to push hard for him..

  • 110.Oubaas2009: Reply to this comment
    16 Feb 2010, 13:58 pm

    WP should spend their money on a decent flyhalf. They have some quality centre backup.

  • 111.wpw: Reply to this comment
    16 Feb 2010, 14:01 pm

    @Oubaas2009:

    That is what we did in the off season.

    We signed the SA U20 Player of the Year = Lionel Cronje :twisted:

  • 112.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    16 Feb 2010, 14:07 pm

    @Dawn:

    every great stage needs its greatest actors

    For 2011, we want every single star player and team at full-strength and peak physical condition. We want referees whistling the same tune. We want attacking rugby rewarded. We want supporters feeling welcome and safe.

    can you hear the drums ?

  • 113.Oubaas2009: Reply to this comment
    16 Feb 2010, 14:09 pm

    Well he’s a world class player to lead the star studded backline now isn’t he.

  • 114.Blouste: Reply to this comment
    16 Feb 2010, 14:22 pm

    @Black Panther:

    Do you want the best team to win aswell ?

    Can you deal with SA winning another WC…in NZ nogals…

  • 115.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    16 Feb 2010, 14:23 pm

    @Black Panther:

    You have drums there?

  • 116.Duffman: Reply to this comment
    16 Feb 2010, 14:37 pm

    @Oubaas2009:
    That what I’ve been saying but lot of people seem to be fixated with this Jean fella.

  • 117.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    16 Feb 2010, 14:57 pm

    @Blouste:

    Of course, the best team winning is THE most favourable option.

    If that is SA then so be it, the tournament would have been a success.

    Lets hope its not the luckiest team, nor the last team standing through injuries or health, nor the team benefitting most from referee errors.

    The 2 Best Teams in the Final and the whichever team plays the Best rugby, wins.

    That would be the ultimate RWC.

  • 118.Slappes: Reply to this comment
    16 Feb 2010, 16:04 pm

    Jeantjie kom huistoe, cape town stadium wag vir jou.

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