De Villiers returning to South Africa at the end of season

Munster centre Jean de Villiers will return to South Africa at the end of the current season to fight for his place in the 2011 World Cup squad.

"My decision to return to South Africa is solely determined by a desire to put myself in contention for the Sprinboks RWC 2011 squad.

"I feel this is perhaps my last opportunity to represent my country at the Rugby World Cup and after consultation with SARU it has become clear that to qualify for selection, players must be playing their rugby in South Africa in the season leading up to the competition.

"I'm thoroughly enjoying my time here in Munster and I think it would be fair to say that had the RWC not been a factor, then I would be remaining for at least the next two seasons. I would not rule out returning here after RWC 2011 either, if the opportunity arose," he said.