Munster coup as De Villiers signs
A natural inside centre, de Villiers follows in the footsteps of Munster’s other marquee overseas signing, All Black Doug Howlett, in a deal believed to be worth in the region of €350,000 a year.
Munster top brass are delighted at landing one of the world’s best players who’ll arrive in Ireland at the conclusion of the South African’s involvement in the Tri Nations Series in September.
South Africa play their final Tri Nations match against New Zealand on September 12.
De Villiers, 28, has signed a one year deal but has an option in his contract to stay for two more years.
The negotiating skills of Munster chief executive, Garrett Fitzgerald, and head coach, Tony McGahan – both of whom have been long-term admirers of the 2007 World Cup winner – helped seal the signature of the Western Province star who was also courted by a French Top 14 club.
Fitzgerald confirmed that the South African Rugby Union (SARU) are aware that the player intends to further his career outside of South Africa, and it now only remains for his provincial side (Western Province) to agree to de Villiers’ request for an early release from his contract which is due to expire on October 31.
As per the signed agreement with the 2008 South Africa Player of the Year, he is expected to arrive in Munster ahead of the ERC registration date (Sept 17).
The South African Rugby Union were keen to hold onto the 48-times capped Springbok, and head coach Peter de Villiers may now have to plan without his star centre for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
While another Bath outhalf, Butch James, has a clause in his contract that stipulates he can play with the Springboks when the English Premiership club is out of competition, a Munster spokesman confirmed that de Villiers will not return to South Africa next summer to play in the June Tests or in the 2010 Tri Nations.
But former Springbok great, Joel Stransky, doesn’t see why he shouldn’t be available for the next World Cup.
“Munster are getting a great one - he’s a fantastic player. I think he’ll add a huge amount to the way they play,” the 1995 World Cup winner told Newstalk’s, Off the Ball.
“He’s quiet imposing and puts his body on the line and, at times, that is probably his downfall – he has spent a fair bit of time on the sideline after suffering a few injuries.
“He’s skilful for a big guy. Probably his greatest strength is he manages to get his arm through the tackle, runs good lines, gets his arms through the tackle and offloads in the tackle.
“Jean had a quiet series (against the Lions) but he had almost no match time because he spent the second half of the Super 14 injured.
“He has missed two World Cups because of injury but he should be ok. If you look at the way the game is played in the northern hemisphere, the conditions, it’ll be a little bit slower, a little bit more physical, unlike the fat dry fields of the Super 14 I think he’ll be ok. I think he’ll become a stalwart.
“The one year contract with a two year option to extend gives him the choice that if he’s playing well enough he can make himself available for the 2011 World Cup.”
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