Springboks flanker Paul de Villiers, pictured, will embrace the pressure and opportunity that comes with facing the All Blacks on Saturday in the opening Test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry.
At 23 years old, Springboks flanker Paul de Villiers stands on the cusp of his biggest rugby match yet as he prepares to face the All Blacks in the opening Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test on Saturday.
He has the big boots of regular skipper Siya Kolisi to fill against the second-ranked nation. However, over the last three Tests, De Villiers has shown enough to suggest he will be ready to embrace whatever is thrown his way.
His international debut came against England in the Nations Championship, and he was literally thrown in at the deep end when Kolisi first withdrew with a hamstring injury. He went on to feature in two further clashes against Scotland and Wales and impressed so much that he has leapfrogged a few Bok regulars in the pecking order.
In a short space of time in his professional career, he has established himself as one of the first names on the Stormers’ team sheet after grabbing his chance in the injury absence of World Cup winner Deon Fourie.
