The iconic inside centre, who once said he had been to two previous World Cups but spent only two nights in the team hotel, suffered the ill-timed injury in the Boks\u2019 Pool B match against Samoa \u2013 abruptly closing the curtain on his third and final World Cup.<\/p>\n
And with it, his illustrious career.<\/p>
The 109 test-capped de Villiers subsequently announced his retirement from the international game on Sunday, September 27.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was injured yesterday and I left the field, I knew that I had played my last test for South Africa,\u201d said de Villiers, who captained the Boks on 37 occasions.<\/p>
\u201cInjuries are part of rugby and I\u2019ve had my fair share, so by now I know how to cope with them. It\u2019s very sad, but life goes on \u2013 I need to take it all in and move forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe last time I was injured in a World Cup match and had to go home was in 2007, also against Samoa, and that finished well for the Boks, so hopefully it will happen again.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was quite sad on the one hand when I came off the field, as I knew I won\u2019t get the opportunity to play for my country again.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving played for South Africa for 13 years, I\u2019ve been fortunate to experience so many great things and I got to know so many good friends, but you never think it will end like this.<\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has happened now and I\u2019ll be eternally grateful for the time I\u2019ve had in the Springbok jersey. I would like to wish the team all the very best and, as a former Springbok, I\u2019m now their No 1 supporter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey still have a massive game this weekend, and I don\u2019t want anyone to feel sorry for me, but rather to focus on the task at hand against Scotland.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Heyneke they have a wonderful coach who knows what it takes to succeed, and who has given me the opportunity to lead my country for the last four years. I will be eternally grateful to him.\u201d<\/p>\n
The iconic No 12, who made his test debut in 2002, but lasted for only seven minutes because of a serious knee injury, missed the 2003 World Cup in Australia, having suffered a shoulder injury, and again missed the 2007 jamboree in France, courtesy of a nastily-timed bicep injury in the opening pool game.<\/p>\n
He stayed with the team, however, and also received a winner’s medal.<\/p>\n
Four years ago, in New Zealand, he injured a rib in the first game and returned for the last pool encounter before playing in the quarter-final loss to Australia.<\/p>\n
Jean de Villiers honours<\/p>\n
@SabeloBoksburg<\/p>\n