Jean de Villiers
Jean de Villiers successfully completed the 1irst step on his return to playing.
He underwent surgery on his broken jaw in Cape Town on Wednesday.
The Springbok captain was forced out of the Rugby World Cup, following an impact to his jaw in the match against Samoa last Saturday.
The 109-Test centre plans to continue playing, although he announced his international retirement following his exit.
“Jean had surgery in Cape Town this morning and the operation went well,” said Springbok team doctor, Craig Roberts.
“The fractured jaw was plated and his wisdom teeth were removed.”
De Villiers is currently recuperating at home and a decision on returning to England to support the Springbok team will be made in due course.
Further role to play:
Retired Springbok captain Jean de Villiers still has an important role to play in South Africa’s Rugby World Cup campaign.
Upon his return to South Africa and arriving at Cape Town International Airport, the 109 Test veteran was greeted by his wife Marlie and 2 daughters in an emotional homecoming. Learners from his Alma Mater Paarl Gymnasium and hundreds of fans were also on hand to give him a heroes’ welcome.
Jean de Villiers at Cape Town International Airport upon arrival from the UK
However, De Villiers plans to get back on plane to the United Kingdom soon to help South Africa bag a 3rd Rugby World Cup title.
“If you look at the make-up of the squad you see youngsters in certain positions and then you see a very senior guy in the same position and that helps,” said De Villiers.
“We share that knowledge of the game and that experience and I have spent a lot of time with Jesse (Kriel) over the last couple weeks and with Damian (De Allende) over the last few years and I will still be doing that when I go back.
“That is very important and I need to get back now. If I do go over it is definitely not to go on a holiday. It is to assist wherever I can and to make a positive contribution to the team. The reason I came back was to get treatment and do the surgery and hopefully in 7 to 10 days I can fly again. That is the plan at this stage, but we have to wait and see when the procedure will be done and then when I can get back on the plane.”
De Villiers has had the worst of luck when it comes to injuries just before or during a Rugby World Cup. He was ruled out before the 2003 event with a shoulder injury and in 2007 he picked up a bicep injury in the opening game against Samoa.
In 2011 in New Zealand, De Villiers picked up a rib injury early in the pool stages before returning ahead of the quarterfinal defeat to Australia.
His World Cup curse struck again on Saturday when he received a huge knock to his jaw against Samoa, which ruled him out for the rest of the tournament.
“When I walked off the field I knew that was my last couple of steps in a Springbok jersey and on the international stage. But as sport has showed in the past there are always some surprises along the way and when Jesse got a cut on the face I had to go back on the field and I got another couple of minutes.
“Even though it is very sad and even though you want to play more, I am a very happy man sitting here having played for my country and made fantastic memories and unbelievable friends. I have just been blessed throughout my career,” he added.
De Villiers said it was an emotional occasion when he had to break the news to his teammates after the Samoa game that he would not be playing again in the tournament.
“We had a team meeting and at that stage I had the scans and everything and I knew it was over. We had a capping for Adriaan Strauss on his 50th game and then I said a couple of words.
“I struggled to get a lot out – it was quite emotional. Seeing a lot of grown men with tears in their eyes is something you don’t usually see in that environment.
“We’ve grown close to each other as a squad and there are so many guys there that I have walked a long way with.
“The guys are more focused than ever now and more determined than ever. There won’t be anyone prouder than me when we do win it. It doesn’t matter how feel, if I can get another one (winners medal) I will be a very happy man,” he said.
De Villiers has had a lot of standout moments in his 13 years as a Springbok, but his highlight was last year’s Test against Australia at Newlands which brings back a lot of memories.
“The highlight of my career was when I played my 101st game at Newlands and ran out with my 2 daughters. My wife was still pregnant at that stage with my son.
“We played Australia, I scored 2 tries and we won the game and to be with my kids on the turf was such a surreal moment.
“It was everything that I loved. My family, the place where I basically grew up and loved playing rugby. That was my last Test at Newlands. I suppose I ended it on a high there.”
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