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.
