I have been watching rugby for a long time and the match we were treated to on Saturday between the All Blacks and Springboks in Wellington reminded me once again why this rivalry continues to be the ultimate of duels in world rugby.
Saturday’s latest blockbuster wasn’t special only because of what happened on the field, it was also largely due to what happened afterwards.Even having being a rugby fan for many years this was the first time I have seen an opposition captain present his rival captain with a gift to mark the occasion of his 100th Test match.
This was indeed something special and the respect with which it was presented was something that piqued my interest. The fact that it was the All Blacks captain making such a presentation in front of the world was startling. Richie McCaw is the current World Cup holding captain. His name alone carries so much weight that he has been accused for most of his 13 year Test career to actually influence referees not to sin bin him for his ‘crimes’ at the breakdown! To see a player of his stature present this tribute to his Bok counterpart, Jean de Villiers, underscored how important and respected a player Jean is. Another example of the high esteem in which De Villiers is held was underlined by All Black centre Ma’u Nono. He was taken off the field due to a fractured forearm, but took the time to take his own jersey off before being taken to hospital and leave it with team management with strict instructions that is was to be given to De Villiers after the game.
I have been mulling over this since the weekend’s epic encounter and realised that with the Boks becoming a great force again in world rugby, it coincided not only with Heyneke Meyer becoming coach, but also with him making De Villiers his captain. In fact, as I type this, I think the best thing Meyer has done in his reign so far is appoint de Villiers as his captain.
A quick fact check by my editor, Ryan, reveals that De Villiers boasts a royal rugby pedigree having been schooled at one of South Africa’s top rugby schools, Paarl Gym, and his grand father is John Gainsford – a 33-cap Springbok who also played centre. De Villiers made his way through the appropriate rugby age groups of Western Province before finally earning honours to play for his country – the ultimate goal for any sports person.
However, De Villiers’ career hasn’t always been plain sailing; injuries by and large have threatened to curtail his involvement in the sport. Who could forget him missing out on the 2007 World Cup with a nasty torn bicep? It was a bittersweet moment for him because while then-coach Jake White kept him close to the team, De Villiers knew he hadn’t been on the field helping the Boks win the tournament.
However, a defining feature for any human being is not how many times we fall, but if we manage to get up and De Villiers has proven time and time again that he doesn’t lie down no matter what life throws at him. He is a fighter and he is brave to put his body on the line each game in spite of the horrendous injuries he has picked up throughout his career.
As a captain, his influence is evident. He could easily have been a polarizing figure as many Bok captains have been before him, but De Villiers seems to understand his players well and focuses on bringing the best out of them. If the Boks are to be the next World Cup champions in England it is imperative that De Villiers is fit and leading from the front. These are not his only stand out qualities. For me, what stands out about the man is the manner in which he carries himself off the field.
For those not privy to the inner machinations of South African rugby or even South Africa as a country, De Villiers and Meyer don’t just have the expectations of a rugby crazed public to worry about; they also need to be sensitive to South Africa’s social landscape that only celebrated 20 years of democracy this year. As a sportsman, I would assume, the only thing you are worried about is getting your best performance together and winning. Whatever that means in terms of preparation, the personnel you employ or the lifestyle you lead is what you focus on. De Villiers not only has to focus on that, he has a team of 22 players to manage and he has to be an ambassador for his country while ensuring that every race feels embraced by the sport.
The fact that relations between the Boks and All Blacks are at an all-time high – the respect both McCaw and coach Steve Hansen have for De Villiers and the Boks is telling – is down to De Villiers being an incredible leader off the field. Sure, he was disappointed with the way the referee robbed them of victory in Perth as I am sure he was hurting after losing such a tight match against his number one rival in his 100th test, but the Bok captain was effusive in his praise for the opposition and never made any excuses for what transpired on the field. Being gracious under fire is a skill not easily learnt, but one which De Villiers has mastered and should be admired for.
Jean de Villiers has earned his stripes and the praise he got from McCaw and company. He now can also lay claim to having membership to the elite centurion club that comprises the best of our sport.
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