IT TOOK NINE games and four months for Jean de Villiers to play his way into Munster folklore.
54-times capped for South Africa, 28 years young and renowned as a dynamic, try-scoring centre, de Villiers was heralded as a vital signing in the quest to capture a third Heineken Cup in five seasons.
By the time December 2009 came into view, the Western Cape native was on the bench while Lifemi Mafi and Keith Earls ran the midfield.
De Villiers came on with 20 minutes to go and took a Ronan O’Gara pass at full-pelt, broke two covering tackles and sprinted clear for a crucial try.
A late Doug Howlett score ensured a bonus point but de Villiers was mobbed by teammates as the final whistle shrilled.
“I probably did let the team down a bit in the first couple of games,” the Springbok captain told TheScore.ie.
It was probably a combination of expectations and me not living up to it, maybe pressure that I put on myself a bit as well. Once I felt comfortable in the environment and started enjoying it, I think it shone through in how I was playing.
“It was such a great experience for me as a person and as a rugby player.”
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Having enjoyed his time in Limerick ‘immensely’, when he rented the house vacated by Argentine prop Federico Pucciarello, de Villiers has already caught up with many of his former teammates.
He did the same in November 2010, when South Africa avenged their 15-10 defeat at Croke Park with a tight win at the freshly-minted Aviva, but absence has made his Munster memories grow fonder.
He believes he will face-off against ‘Paulie’ O’Connell in the guise of Ireland captain on Saturday and is pleased to see the international emergence of Donnacha Ryan and Peter O’Mahony.
Most of his praise, however, is reserved for a player he worked closely with during his season at Munster under Tony McGahan.
“I always believe that the centre positions should be a partnership,” he said. “Occasionally you get two individuals that don’t click.
“D’Arcy and O’Driscoll are fantastic players in their own right but, as a combination, they suit each other so well, for their province and their country.” De Villiers added:
If Keith Earls takes his place in the centre, he will do fantastically well. We played together in the centre on a few occasions. He has all the skills to be a great player in that position and has matured so well in the last few years.”
He is also looking forward to taking on fellow countryman Richardt Strauss and is relishing the clash of the newly qualified Irish hooker with his cousin, Adriaan Strauss.
Leading by example
Ireland have bemoaned the loss of leadership figures such as Rob Kearney, Rory Best and, naturally, Brian O’Driscoll.
The ‘Boks have lost key figures to retirement in recent years, including John Smit and Victor Matfield, so the feeling is mutual.
De Villiers has captained Stormers in the Super Rugby but he admits that he struggled to come to terms with the size of the task throughout an ultimately successful home series against England in June. He told TheScore.ie:
I’ve settled into the captaincy much better than before that series. I got the call about it about five or six days before our first game. I’ve worked under John for so long and have learned from on-pitch leaders like Victor and Bakkies [Botha].
“I think the players are really responding well to me now.”
Seems like he might be giving young Earls a reach around, guaranteed he’ll be the target for the Saffer backs come the weekend. To be fair, D’arcy has been piss poor defensively for a while as well. We’re in big trouble come game time.
Earls ‘dodgy’ defense is an out dated fallicy. Most remember THAT one missed tackle but that can happen to anyone. The great BOD was skinned the week before he got injured afterall.
Anybody who watched Munster play all season before he got injured would attest that he was starting to look the business. Take his try against Ulster. He started the move and finished it, touching the ball 3 times. Hes got the pace and the skillset is improving.
I think 13 is the hardest position for us to talk about as it means the great one is on his way out.. but, he IS on his way out. We need to start planning for it now. Whoever steps into his boots will be judged harshly as he is being compared to BOD. I think Earls suffers from this….
Cop on padraig earls is not a defensive wreak as you say, his defensive game was average but any game he played in the last 12 months shows his defence has come on 100% . It’s Darcy I’d be worried about at the moment.
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Seems like he might be giving young Earls a reach around, guaranteed he’ll be the target for the Saffer backs come the weekend. To be fair, D’arcy has been piss poor defensively for a while as well. We’re in big trouble come game time.
Earls ‘dodgy’ defense is an out dated fallicy. Most remember THAT one missed tackle but that can happen to anyone. The great BOD was skinned the week before he got injured afterall.
Anybody who watched Munster play all season before he got injured would attest that he was starting to look the business. Take his try against Ulster. He started the move and finished it, touching the ball 3 times. Hes got the pace and the skillset is improving.
I think 13 is the hardest position for us to talk about as it means the great one is on his way out.. but, he IS on his way out. We need to start planning for it now. Whoever steps into his boots will be judged harshly as he is being compared to BOD. I think Earls suffers from this….
Agree totally
De Villers is a serious player. Why is he talking up the defensive wreck that is Earls.
Cop on padraig earls is not a defensive wreak as you say, his defensive game was average but any game he played in the last 12 months shows his defence has come on 100% . It’s Darcy I’d be worried about at the moment.
He’s average on wing, but in the centre, you cop on.
Earls is a winger plain and simple!! One of the best finishers we have. Can’t understand why he thinks he’s a centre!!
Ah padraig your entitled to your opinion even if its wrong. Earls is no drico, but for arguments sake you pick a better 13 playin in this country…….