Springbok captain Jean de Villiers was on Monday congratulated by South African Rugby Union (SARU) President, Mr Oregan Hoskins, on the landmark of a century of Test appearances for his country.

The DHL Stormers and DHL WP stalwart became just the fifth South African to have achieved the feat, hard on the heels of teammate Bryan Habana, who reached the mark the week before.

De Villiers returned to South Africa on Sunday, following the team’s nail-biting defeat to New Zealand, 14-10, in Wellington on Saturday – his 100th cap (and 28th as captain) having come 11 years, 10 months and five days after his debut against France in Marseille.

“Jean’s contribution to South African rugby and the Springboks over such an extended period has been immense,” said Mr Hoskins.

“The respect in which he is held as a player, a captain and as a person was evident from the media coverage in the build-up to Saturday’s Test. He is a not only a great player but also a great ambassador for Springbok rugby and our country.

“It is a desperate shame that he and Bryan could not mark their incredible achievements with victories, but the measure of them both is that they will have been more disappointed for the team than for themselves.”

Jean de Villiers followed fellow centurions, Percy Montgomery in 2008 (102 Tests), John Smit in 2010 (111), Victor Matfield in 2010 (115) and Habana in 2014 (101), into the record books. In his century of Tests he has also become the most-capped Springbok centre (85) and is joint fifth on the all-time try-scorers’ list with 25.

“Saturday’s result should not detract from Jean’s achievements,” said Mr Hoskins. “He has contributed significantly to the Springbok legacy and set a gold standard when it comes to how a Springbok should conduct himself on and off the field.

“He is quick-witted with a sharp sense of humour but he has never used that to belittle others and has always respected the camaraderie and traditions of the game.

“He has carried that presence of mind onto the field and has always played the game in the way that the Laws intended, which has made him such an effective leader.

“His style of play and the manner in which he has conducted himself over the years will make Jean one of the Springboks’ most revered players for as long they talk about rugby in South Africa.

“I am sure that that question of what his legacy will be is far from his thoughts right now. I am sure that the only thing on his mind right now will be the team and on recording a victory in our next Test.”

The Springboks are next in action against Australia at DHL Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday, September 27.

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