I loved my Munster adventure, declares de Villiers

JEAN DE VILLIERS last night rubbished claims he was unhappy at Munster by describing his time with the province as “an incredible experience”.

Earlier this week, South African coach Peter de Villiers suggested the World Cup-winning centre regretted his move to Ireland, telling reporters that his namesake “called me soon after he arrived there and said he had made the wrong decision”.

However de Villiers, who has returned to his native country in a bid to keep alive hopes of making their World Cup squad for 2011, insisted he loved his spell with Tony McGahan and company.

He said of his time with Munster: “I learned a lot and had a great time. I made very good friends.

“If I had my life over again, I would make the decision to go there again. It was an incredible experience,” he said.

“I’m now back at my home where I learned my rugby and would like to play my way into South Africa’s World Cup squad next year.”

De Villiers has now re-signed for Western Province a year after he left for Ireland.

Details of the deal have not been disclosed, but the South African centre is set to resume his career with the Cape Town franchise, Stormers in Super 14 competition, with immediate effect. He will join another Springbok, CJ van der Linde, at Newlands.

Prop van der Linde, though, will only join Western Province in November after already agreeing to play for the Cheetahs in the domestic Currie Cup following his return from another Irish province, Leinster. He has signed a one-year deal.

De Villiers continued: “I’m a WP player through and through, but have not yet won a trophy with them. It’s something I really would like to achieve – to win a trophy in the blue-and-white hoops. The Stormers did well in the Super 14 and the future is looking bright,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to it and hopefully we can bring back the glory years of WP rugby.”

De Villiers could scarcely believe his good fortune on Tuesday when he was included in the Springbok squad for Saturday’s Test against France at Newlands.

“I must say I could not have asked for more. I did not expect to be involved in this weekend’s Test and it makes it all the more special that it will be at Newlands,” said De Villiers, who was named among the replacements.