Rugby: De Villiers to chalk up 100 in test against admired foe

Jean de Villiers says the All Blacks will be a tough opponent in Wellington on Saturday. Picture / Getty Images

For a long time, Springbok legend Jean de Villiers doubted he would double his test cap count from one to two, let alone bring up three figures.

The second-five made his test debut in late 2002 but didn't make another appearance for the Springboks for nearly two years.

His debut lasted less than 10 minutes after the midfielder suffered a serious knee injury and spent nine months out of the game. A shoulder injury in a warm-up match ahead of the 2003 World Cup stalled his comeback and he didn't play his second test until he ran out against the Pacific Islanders in Gosford, Australia, in July, 2004.

"It has been a long road," he said of his test career. "And there were definitely times when I didn't think I would get to number two."

But de Villiers eventually collected his second cap and he will make his 100th appearance for South Africa when the Springboks meet the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday night.

The 33-year-old will captain the visitors this weekend, while his wife and father will also be in attendance to mark the milestone. He will become only the fifth South African to join the 100-club, alongside teammates Victor Matfield and Bryan Habana, while retired warhorses John Smit and Percy Montgomery also achieved the feat.

Known for snatching intercept tries earlier in his career, de Villiers made his 50th test appearance against the All Blacks and said he had developed a respectful rivalry with long-time New Zealand midfielders Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith.

"It is nice to play against them and for the old battle to continue and hopefully we can just have a drink afterwards and celebrate my 100th game," de Villiers said.

He spoke highly of the test victories over the All Blacks, notably South Africa's 2005 win that came at his homeground in Cape Town and the 2009 victory in Hamilton that secured South Africa the Tri Nations crown.

"Being a bit of a purist, when it comes to rugby, I think that the ultimate challenge for me was to always play against the All Blacks."

De Villiers said it would be a tough ask to beat the Rugby Championship-leading All Blacks this weekend.