De Villiers wary of new challenge

When South Africa captain Jean de Villiers lines up against Ireland today, he will have almost 100 caps and 12 years of experience on his direct opponents.

It’s some feat, given the circumstances in which his international career started.

He ruptured knee ligaments seven minutes into his debut against France in 2002 and it was almost two years before his second cap against the Pacific Islands after he had damaged a shoulder during preparations for the 2003 World Cup.