South African captain Jean de Villiers enjoys Wellington’s sunshine during training at the Hutt Recreation Ground this week ahead of his 100th test, against the All Blacks, at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

It’s when the discussion switches away from rugby that Jean de Villiers is most animated.

Make no mistake, South Africa’s captain is passionate about his code and about winning.

Growing up in Paarl he watched his father Andre play for Western Province and dreamed of following in his sprig-marks.

De Villiers has done that and more in a career that’s seen him win the World Cup, in 2007, beat the All Blacks eight times, score 25 test tries and clock up 99 caps for his country in the process.

And yet, it is a greater calling that seems to drive the 33-year-old midfielder on.

“Giving hope to a lot of people and kids in South Africa,” de Villiers said this week when asked what he hoped his legacy as a Springbok would be.

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“In the world today there are so many bad things happening. It’s important for us to be that hope as well for kids watching. You talk about drugs, killings, murders and all of that going on.

“I think if they can aspire to something like rugby and the Springboks and see what that can give them, then I think we’ve done our job. The 80 minutes on Saturday is a very small part of the job.”

When Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer was asked about his captain he barely mentioned rugby skills, instead talking of a man who gave his time without question off the field and who inspired those around him.

De Villiers’ father and wife Marlie – pregnant with their third child following daughters Lana and Layli – will be in the stands at Westpac Stadium on Saturday night.

They’ve made the trip to see him become the fifth player to bring up a century of appearances for the Springboks after Victor Matfield, John Smit, Percy Montgomery and Bryan Habana.

De Villiers said his family’s presence meant as much as the match itself.

“Family always come first. My wife has been unbelievable throughout the years… by the end of the year we will have three kids under the age of three.

“That’s a tough job and to take all this rugby life with it and be able to be there for the kids, and raise the family, and support me, I think that’s tough.

“That makes rugby look simple and easy to play so I’ll dedicate this test to her and my parents.”

Reaching 100 tests is a remarkable feat for a player whose career nearly didn’t progress past his second cap.

As a young left wing, he blew his knee on debut against France in Marseille in 2002 within the opening minute, then mangled his shoulder in his comeback match before the 2003 World Cup.

“It has been a long road. There were times when I didn’t think I’d get past number two,” he said.

“Making your international debut is special, but getting injured 27 seconds into it is not something you really dream about.

“Then being out for nine months, coming back prior to the World Cup, playing that warm-up game and, it was 15 minutes that time, getting injured again and being out for another eight months.

“It does test your character. I went through a lot of hard times, but I believe I got through it stronger. I never imagined I’d get to 100, so I’m fortunate… someone’s looking after me somewhere out there.”

De Villiers is a big man, but not a brute. He is tall and lean rather than thick-set, evasive and confrontational in equal measures.

All Blacks centre Conrad Smith says his opponent’s versatility is behind his longevity, and his warmth as a person is why he is so well-respected.

“Like most midfielders who play over a long period of time you have to be quite versatile.

“He’s a big guy and his physicality is strong, but his running lines, his ability to use his feet, his passing game. All those things are massive attributes.

“That’s the only way you survive as a midfielder because if you are a one-trick pony you get worked out pretty quick.

“You can have a good couple of years, but unless you find another few parts to your game you get worked out and someone else will take your spot.

“The fact he’s been playing as long as I’ve been playing shows how multi-skilled he is.

“There’s not many I respect more in terms of how good a player he is, but also off the field he was probably the first player I really struck up a relationship with.

”After games he was always quick to come and have a word with me right from the start.

“I respect the way he’s played a lot of Super Rugby games [for the Stormers], he’s stuck around in South Africa and served his country well and now he’s captaining them.

“He’s one of the nicer guys you get to play against, so to see him get 100 tests is huge. I wish he was playing against someone else because I’d love him to win.”

De Villiers values rugby’s camaraderie and in particular those links he’s forged with the All Blacks, a team he has always considered the game’s greatest test.

“With 100 coming up you look back at your career and think of all the games you’ve played, but what’s stood out for me is times like being with the Barbarians and meeting a guy like Kevvy [Keven Mealamu],” he said.

“My time at Munster playing with Doug Howlett, becoming friends with a guy you have played against so many times before.

“And on Saturday playing against Ma’a [Nonu] and Conrad and having played them so many times before. In a weird way you build up a relationship and a friendship, in a weird sense, and definitely respect.

“So it is nice to play against them again and for the old battle to continue. If we can have a drink after and hopefully just celebrate my 100th game.”

De Villiers has had more success than most of his teammates when it comes to playing the All Blacks and they feature highly in his list of career highlights.

He scored a try within 27 seconds in his first attempt in 2004, brought up his 50th cap against them in Durban, and has won eight times in 21 meetings overall.

“The one that stands out the most was playing them in South Africa for the first time which was also my first test at Newlands, my home ground and we managed to win that game and I also scored a try, so that stands out the most,” he said.

Now he’d love to cap things off with a win over the All Blacks in his 100th test, but regardless of the result you get the feeling de Villiers will be smiling come fulltime.

Jean de Villiers

• Age: 33
• Physical: 1.90m, 100kg
• Born: Paarl, South Africa
• Family: Wife Marlie and two and a half kids (Lana, Layli, TBC)
• Test caps: 99 (95 starts, 25 tries)
• Test debut: v France, Marseille, 2002
• Teams: Western Province, Stormers, Barbarians, Munster, Springboks
• Achievements: IRB Under 21 World Champion, 2002; IRB World Cup winner, 2007; Tri-Nations champion, 2009; South African Sevens representative.