Jean De Villiers Announces His Retirement From International Rugby
Latest posts by Will Matthews (see all)
- Irish Rugby hit back on social media over false Jack Crowley claims - January 21, 2025
- Former Munster boss Graham Rowntree in talks for top head coach role - January 21, 2025
- Ireland and Springboks finally set to have highly-anticipated third Test match - January 20, 2025
South Africa captain Jean de Villiers has announced his retirement from Test rugby after being ruled out of the rest of the World Cup due to a fractured jaw.
The 34-year-old centre earned his 109th cap during the Springboks’ 46-6 thrashing of Samoa in the Pool B encounter yet it proved to be his final international appearance.
That makes the 34-year-old Stormers man the fourth most-capped player in the history of South African Test rugby.
“When I got injured yesterday and I left the field, I knew that I had played my last Test for South Africa,” said De Villiers.
“Rugby will be poorer without Jean,” said coach Heyneke Meyer. “He is a true ambassador for South Africa.”
De Villiers added: “Injuries are part of rugby and I’ve had my fair share, so by now I know how to cope with them. It’s very sad, but life goes on.”
