Springbok legend Jean de Villiers has applauded the recent Six Nations for showcasing how competitive global rugby has become at Test level, and how the shift of players between countries as well as between international clubs in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship is enhancing this.
After two rounds of intense Vodacom United Rugby Championship Derby action, Jean de Villiers says it still gives him goosebumps to see how local rugby fans responded to the best South African players throwing everything at each other.
Springbok legend Jean de Villiers believes it’s no coincidence that the rise in Benetton Rugby’s performances in this year’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship should lead to Italy almost shocking France in the Guinness Six Nations this past weekend.
The increasingly fluid nature of modern rugby as it moves from the Vodacom United Rugby Championship one weekend to the Guinness Six Nations the next and then back to the Investec Champions Cup thereafter is taking some getting used to for players, coaches and fans. But Springbok legend Jean de Villiers believes it does have its benefits.
Jean de Villiers says the Vodacom United Rugby Championship is doing an incredible job of preparing a new generation of young players for the demands of Test rugby, and that this past weekend’s Six Nations action was another prime example of this.
Former Springbok stars Jean de Villiers, John Smit and Victor Matfield says the absence of three injured first choice players will be a massive challenge for South Africa in their Rugby World Cup defence.
Careers end. Records are broken. Trophies gather dust. Teammates go their own way. And then all you are left with is the memories. Great memories of a full career. But if you grew up in the Western Cape, there is one memory you carry with you beyond just your career, and when it started and ended. You’ve had it with you since you were a boy running around barefoot with a rugby ball and dreaming the biggest dreams. North versus South. By Jean de Villiers, former DHL Stormers and Springbok captain.
Jean de Villiers says there is no reason to believe Damian de Allende is slowing down in the wake of the Springbok’s recent excellent performances for Munster.
Jean de Villiers and Jim Hamilton both concede it is inevitable that the Springboks will join the Six Nations, but raise concerns over the impact the move could have on the Test calendar and future British & Irish Lions tours.
Former captain Jean de Villiers believes the only way the Boks can beat the All Blacks this Saturday is by persisting with a pragmatic approach, writes CRAIG LEWIS in Durban.
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