De Villiers called in for Springboks

MUNSTER centre Jean de Villiers has been called up to the South Africa squad for Saturday’s clash against Ireland at Croke Park.

De Villiers replaces Adi Jacobs who has been ruled out for the world champions because of an ankle injury.

Fourie du Preez, Bakkies Botha, Bismarck du Plessis, CJ van der Linde, Zane Kirchner and Schalk Burger also all face late fitness tests.

The South African team will be announced this afternoon.

Jacobs will return to South Africa today.

The injury-ravaged Springboks will limp to the end of a gruelling year when they face the Grand Slam winners at Croke Park.

So far this season Peter de Villiers’ side have won their first Tri-Nations title since 2004 and conquered the Lions in an epic Test series.

But their tour of Europe has proved less productive with their solitary victory against Italy being overshadowed by defeats to France, Leicester and Saracens.

They have arrived in Dublin battered and bruised, with an extensive injury list forcing them to delay their team announcement until Thursday.

De Villiers joined Munster after this year’s Tri-Nations.