Paul de Villiers faces All Blacks test in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry

Paul de Villiers will face the toughest examination of his young international career when he starts at openside flank for South Africa against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday. The Stormers player will earn his fourth Test cap in the opening match of a four-Test series between the world’s top two ranked sides.

The 25-year-old steps into the position after Springboks captain Siya Kolisi was ruled out through injury. Pieter-Steph du Toit will lead the hosts, with De Villiers joining Du Toit and Jasper Wiese in the back row.

De Villiers made his international debut against England at Ellis Park last month. He has since added appearances against Scotland and Wales, but Saturday’s meeting with New Zealand presents a significantly greater challenge in rugby’s most closely followed rivalry.

South Africa’s coaches have backed him to handle the occasion. Rassie Erasmus has pointed to the support provided by Kolisi, Marco van Staden and Deon Fourie during the past few weeks, while assistant coach Mzwandile Stick has highlighted De Villiers’ maturity and understanding of his responsibilities despite his limited Test experience.

His role will be especially important at the breakdown, where his pace, fitness, strength over the ball and ability to carry, clean and defend make him more than a specialist fetcher. Du Toit has also praised his communication and said the young flank brings South Africa an additional dimension in that area.

The breakdown contest has gained extra attention after the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls raised concerns about New Zealand’s cleanout methods during recent tour matches. All Blacks coaches and players rejected those claims. De Villiers, whose game is built around competing for possession on the ground, will now enter that battle in his first Test against New Zealand.

The All Blacks have also made changes to their squad after Caleb Clarke, George Bell, Ollie Norris and Billy Proctor were sent home and replaced. Those changes, alongside Kolisi’s absence, have shaped the build-up to the first meeting of the series, but the focus in the Springbok camp remains on De Villiers’ ability to meet the demands of the position.