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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16 Feb 2010, 09:11 am
“The last time I can recall fans behaving in that manner was in 1974 when there was a punch-up in the British Lions tour match against Natal……
Brian…. ever watched a club game in the Wes-Kaap or in Petoria?????
16 Feb 2010, 09:11 am
I hope JDV comes back to WP!
There is 1 centre combination I enjoy watching more than any other, and it is that of JDV and JF!
Also, Jean will have to come back on top form to fight for the Bok 12 jersey… Olivier is playing great rugby at the moment…
Centres for RWC 2011:-
JDV / Olivier / De Jongh / JF
I also hope Robert Ebersohn can step up to challenge the above players!
16 Feb 2010, 09:12 am
@Bod: seems all saffas are the same…jeesh
16 Feb 2010, 09:13 am
@Gambit25: people often say that about the JDV/JF combo and I can never understand why as they never pass to each other, they’re both strike runners.
16 Feb 2010, 09:16 am
@Big Hit: I can think of a number of times that JF has scored off a JDV pass!
16 Feb 2010, 09:18 am
@Bod: rugby in the UK/Ire isn’t the game of the people and you tend to get mostly middle class educated folks who follow the game who don’t partake in all the booing etc, that behaviour is left to the football fans. The exception is Wales where rugby is the first sport, they have no qualms about whistling the kicker etc.
16 Feb 2010, 09:19 am
@groenie: It was an unbelievable experience. The stadium, the passion, the singing and the amazing humility of the Irish fans. They were so humble in victory and had nothing but compliments to pay us.
Hell, my better half and I somehow managed to be grossly underdressed in our Bok shirts and F… all else in the -3 degs, sleet, mist, rain et al weather. As we shiveringly took to our seats, the Irishman in the seat next to us took off his gloves and coat and handed them to my better half (No such luck for me) and then the guy next to him hauled out is pewter of Jamesons and proceeded to share its contents with us…
I hate the Boks losing, but if theres one side I can more or less stomach losing to, its the Irish… thanks to their fans behavior.
I havent started on true Irish Guinness yet…
16 Feb 2010, 09:20 am
@Big Hit:
I said this 4 years ago – there is one moer of a difference between a play-maker, and game-breaker…
For my money both JDV and Fourie are game-breakers…
16 Feb 2010, 09:21 am
@Gambit25: maybe I haven’t seen enough of them together but I didn’t see too much in the way of creativity from them during the 3N, bar some Muir-inspired strike moves and good defence the Bok backs were disappointing. If the NZ team had the amount of possession and quick ball SA had during the 3N they would’ve been running up 50 point scores. Definitely a lot to work on for PDV, maybe Pienaar can step up and offer something different this year.
16 Feb 2010, 09:25 am
@Big Hit:
That is true BH.
DeVilliers has a slightly wider skills set but his FIRST OPTION is run then pass.He uses his deceptive changes of speed to open gaps rather than the ability to off load in tackle or put others into space with sublime timed passes etc.
Fourie is a strike runner,a wing at 13.He rarely ever passes to anybody.He is effective,highly effective when he gets it right because he is big,strong and runs great lines.But if one doesnt make space from him,he cant make it for himself nor others.Therein sometimes lies the problem when they are man marked.
Lack variety.
Thats why I liked the JdV/Jacobs patnership in 2008 so much.They were almost impossible to mark because they would interchange roles with ease.Jacobs at top form has the ability to create space and be strike runner with his injection of speed.has a lovely pair of hands too.Even BP/Poppa69 stated he plays like a Maori creative 12 ala Walter Little.
(PS-Im not advocating that Jacons should be playing ahead of Fourie at this moment as he has been of form since B&I series-Im just stating playing stylr preference/variety/interchangability)
16 Feb 2010, 09:29 am
@mshiniwami: JDV/Jacobs were an excellent combo in ’08 but I think both were burnt out and perhaps carrying injuries too in ’09, didn’t have the same fizz
16 Feb 2010, 09:30 am
@Big Hit: I hear you!
JDV and JF are similar in that they are strike-runners but in my mind, JDV has that ability to create opportunities for those around him …
16 Feb 2010, 09:43 am
brian van zyl: the sharks fans you are referring to are they the same ones that boo-ed fancois steyn for attempting a drop kick?
16 Feb 2010, 09:57 am
@mshiniwami: @Big Hit: So for JDV to move to The Sharks won’t be such a bad choice at all
16 Feb 2010, 10:09 am
I can tell all and sundry that, Juan De Jong has his eyes firmly set on making the World Cup squad,I hope JDV is aware of that.
16 Feb 2010, 10:09 am
@Charlie:
Nope not at all
16 Feb 2010, 10:18 am
Jean should sign with the Bulls. They would welcome some depth at centre and he would be worthy understudy to Meisiekind. He could also improve his game under the expert tutelage of Meisiekindand the coaches. I’m sure he could adapt to the winning culture found at the Bulls if he works hard and put his mind to it.
16 Feb 2010, 10:22 am
Bwahahahahaha
Meisiekind is a decent S14 player but he has done absolutely nothing at test level.
And its not like he hasnt had opportunities.
Jean is a much better player than Wynand!!
16 Feb 2010, 10:24 am
@Duffman:
What?
16 Feb 2010, 10:25 am
francois steyn’s preferred position is 12. I thought i should just throw this in there nje…
16 Feb 2010, 10:25 am
@Duffman:
Change your nic to Dofman.
16 Feb 2010, 10:26 am
@wpw:
It is sad that such petty provincialism would not allow you to see Meisiekind for the superior player he is.
16 Feb 2010, 10:27 am
Good, the Irish don’t deserve the service of such a great player.
Welcome back to the winners circle, Jean.
16 Feb 2010, 10:28 am
@wpw:
16 Feb 2010, 10:29 am
@Dawn:
Are ad hominems the only tactic you have to counter my well reasoned argument?
16 Feb 2010, 10:30 am
@Duffman:
Your argument is anything but well reasoned!
Jean to move to Bulls and LEARN and the feet of Meisiekind?
16 Feb 2010, 10:34 am
@Dawn:
Why would you not want Jean to improve his game? We should not let expertise of world class players like Meisiekind be kept with so few players. You should not be so selfish.
16 Feb 2010, 10:36 am
@PissAnt: @ 58
straight up…!!
16 Feb 2010, 10:41 am
DUFFMAN: I’ve said it many times: In the Super 14 the Bulls got a world class combination in FdP, MS and WO. They play very well off each other. This Friday against the Cheetahs they were brilliant(WO especially!) But unfortunately, the Super 14 is where it stays for WO – maybe he needs more chance in Springbok colors, but he has never been able to emulate his Super 14 form in Internationals. And I don’t think he will ever achieve that.
16 Feb 2010, 10:45 am
@Boss:
As I understand it Meisiekind are simply being rested for the RWC, meanwhile lesser player like Jean are being given chances with the Boks to develop.
16 Feb 2010, 10:48 am
Another chance!!! for WO at bok level, surely, you guys gotta be kidding.
16 Feb 2010, 10:50 am
@Duffman:
Do you also use Timotei shampoo?
16 Feb 2010, 10:50 am
@XhosaKid:
Agree! Another chance to see one of the best centres ever playing for the Boks. Truly we are a blessed nation.
16 Feb 2010, 10:51 am
Ok DUFFMAN, you know you are dreaming right? What is even worse is that you are dreaming of Meisiekind, LOL!!!
16 Feb 2010, 10:52 am
@Dawn:
I would if I could afford it. I guess that is one of the perks being one of the best players in rugby mad country such as ours.
16 Feb 2010, 10:55 am
@Boss:
I am man enough and secure in my sexuality to admit that I occasionally dream of Meisiekind. Do you have the courage?
16 Feb 2010, 11:01 am
@XhosaKid:
16 Feb 2010, 11:01 am
Lol! I will admit to truth, not fiction! But thanks for being so honest, it is a rare quality indeed!
16 Feb 2010, 11:02 am
@Duffman: At least something good happened because of this, you came out of the closet
16 Feb 2010, 11:03 am
Duffman is taking the piss. Dont take him seriously.
WO has what, 20 odd test caps. Jean has over 50 caps and has been our 1st choice inside centre since 2005.
Case closed.
16 Feb 2010, 11:04 am
@Boss: #84 lmao @ “dreaming about meisikind”…
16 Feb 2010, 11:06 am
@Charlie:
It was only once at university and I was drunk!! :angry:
My dominee prayed for me and I was cured since then.
Anyway this discussion is about the great player Meisiekind and how dreamy he look…
16 Feb 2010, 11:08 am
Jean come to the Sharks, we will teach you to play flyhalf. We promise!!
16 Feb 2010, 11:09 am
@Sonito: oh dear… now he’s definitely not gonna go…
16 Feb 2010, 11:10 am
@wpw:
Number of caps is no indication of the quality of a player. Jean got his caps as a place holder while we were waiting for someone better, and that someone better his Mesiekind!
16 Feb 2010, 11:12 am
JdV should go back to WeePee!
Juan de Jongh never passes the ball.
He passed once against the lions and thn Mossie scored a try.
Give Mossie the ball so that he and Dash can show the world why they are regarded as the best!
16 Feb 2010, 11:13 am
@Sonito:
That is a good idea. Jean also played a lot of games at wing. If he add flyhalf to his repertoire he could good become a useful utility player and earn a spot on the bench for the boks.
16 Feb 2010, 11:26 am
If Juan gets another year under Jean and Jaque, all the better for the man who will go on to play many Springbok tests
16 Feb 2010, 11:33 am
@groenie: Groenie, dont show yourself to be as big an @rsehole as those fans are. Why is it always “dutchmen”?
How many “dutchmen” support the Sharks do you think? How many live in Durbs and were there at the Chiefs game?
Ive seen English and Afrikaans Bok “fans” behave just as cringingly bad as each other.
Poephol
16 Feb 2010, 11:36 am
As I intimated last night I wish this guy all the best. He bought into the Munster ethos and wore the jersey with the pride it merits, even when he was out of favour.
Under normal circumstances it would be frustrating to see someone up sticks and leave so soon with the euros but De Villiers did himself and South African rugby proud with his conduct on and off the field.
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