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Monday, July 27, 2009
MUNSTER management today face an anxious wait for an update on the condition of their new star signing Jean de Villiers, after he limped out of South Africa’s 28-19 Tri-Nations win over New Zealand on Saturday.
The tough-tackling Stormers centre, who confirmed last week he is on his way to Munster, limped off with 11 minutes to go after injuring his left knee, and was replaced by Wynand Olivier.
Along with fly-half Ruan Pienaar, who was forced off shortly before half-time, de Villiers watched the remainder of the Bloemfontein clash from the sidelines.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is expected to give an update on the seriousness of both players’ conditions today, though de Villiers’ injury is said to be causing the most concern ahead of next weekend’s rematch in Durban.
Munster coach Tony McGahan and chief executive Garret Fitzgerald will be praying their marquee signing – who is due to arrive in Ireland in mid-September following the conclusion of the Tri-Nations – won’t face a long spell on the sidelines.
The Magners League champions courted the 28-year-old for most of the summer, having made no secret of their desire to find a top-class replacement for Rua Tipoki, and finally got their man last week.
De Villiers was named Springbok player of the year in 2008 but has had a somewhat quieter 2009, having been once again hampered by the injury problems that have interrupted his career.
He just about won a race against time to be fit for the series against the Lions after suffering a groin injury in April, and was notably subdued in the Tests as a result, though his stunning try-saving tackle on Ugo Monye in the first Test proved a pivotal moment in the series. Previously, he missed the 2003 World Cup after injuring his shoulder in a warm-up game, and managed just 43 minutes of South Africa’s opening clash with Samoa in 2007 before tearing his left bicep.
Munster will be hoping there is no repeat of 2003, when they pulled off a huge coup in signing former All Black try machine Christian Cullen, only for the full-back’s four years in Ireland to be blighted by shoulder injuries.
The Reds are confident de Villiers can secure an early release from his Western Province contract and arrive before September 17, ahead of registration of players for next season’s Heineken Cup.
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