Jean de Villiers relishing skipper role

Jean de Villiers is in the form of his life and can rightfully lay claim to being the world's best inside centre. But it is his new-found role as Western Province's Currie Cup captain that has sparked his excitement ahead of Saturday's clash against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

Jean de Villiers is in the form of his life and can rightfully lay claim to being the world's best inside centre. But it is his new-found role as Western Province's Currie Cup captain that has sparked his excitement ahead of Saturday's clash against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

“I grew up in the Cape. Western Province has been part of my life all my life, and for me that's what it is all about – the blue and white hoops,” said De Villiers, who has played for Western Province as many times as he has played for the Springboks.

In each case he has 33 caps, although his WP career started a year earlier in 2001.

However, injuries often kept him out of the game for long spells at provincial level.

De Villiers is no stranger to the rank of captain as he skippered the Stormers in the Super 14 competition earlier this year.

“It's my first game as captain of Western Province. That's something special for me and a day that I'll definitely remember,” he said.

“Currie Cup is special. It is part of South African rugby. We're up for every single game we play.”

The Cheetahs, as the reigning Currie Cup champions, will offer De Villiers a baptism of fire in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

“The momentum is with the Cheetahs and rugby is all about momentum,” said De Villiers.

“They've had some fantastic wins and they getting back two or three Springboks so there's not a lot of changes in their team. They are the current champions so it will be tough, and the altitude is something that we've got to work through and manage.”

The WP side shows ten changes from the one which last played against the Blue Bulls and justifiably is there an air of apprehension about their new-look line-up.

It is perhaps for this reason why WP decided on largely closed (to the media) training sessions throughout the week. But De Villiers feels his side will be up for the Cheetahs hunt.

“It's about positive energy that we (all 12 Springboks) bring to the (WP) team. Luckily we (the Boks) finished on a high against Australia and our team for the Cheetahs match includes 11 Springboks who have played international rugby this year,” he added..

“If that does not give you confidence then nothing will. The Boks are just hellishly excited about playing for Western Province again.”

Despite WP's perilous log position as a result of a mere three wins from nine matches, De Villiers is backing his charges to reach the 2008 Currie Cup play-offs.

“We still have a chance of making the semis. That's the reality,” said De Villiers.

“What we can do at this stage is to get the pride back into the jersey. If we're lucky we'll get four tries and the bonus point. The biggest challenge for us is this weekend.”

WP Currie Cup coach Allister Coetzee also aired his views on Saturday's Bloemfontein clash.

“The Cheetahs do all the basics right. They're a good kicking team,” said Coetzee.

“We've got to make sure that we are on top of our game all round. The Springboks have slotted in the WP side very professionally. It's good to have them back.

“The Boks could have come back and said they're tired or asked to be managed. But these guys live and die for Western Province and that has been fantastic. It's just for us to get the blend right – between what we've had (the youngsters) and what we've got back (the Springboks).

“They have been busy with the Springbok campaign and we (the coaches) had to make sure they are comfortable with what we are doing here at Western Province.”