Google AI says no (but it may be wrong, of course):
There is no known family connection between Stormers player Paul de Villiers and H.O. de Villiers. Paul de Villiers is a young flanker for the Stormers and Western Province, while H.O. de Villiers is a surname associated with many prominent South African rugby players, but no direct link to Paul de Villiers has been established.
His younger brother is at Oakdale and was this years SA Schools No 8
Dave there are different branches of the De Villiers family since 1688 in SA and some are linked to the Boschendahl main branch of the family. Jean is descendent from them and so is Paul and his brother. One would have to go back up to 10 generations to find family linkages.
Must admit they have facial similarities in a way but is probably from the great-great grandfathers linkage..
H.O. one of the great talents. He knocked loose forwards backwards in contact and would take a high ball flat out. Another player who’s early injuries left him a lesser player, much like Bobby Skinstad. The prince of Newlands
Journalist
3 minute read
21 February 2022
09:51 am
Former Bok fullback HO de Villiers has died. Picture: Carl Fourie / Gallo Images
One of South African rugby’s best-loved players, HO de Villiers, has been remembered as a “legend of Springbok rugby.”
De Villiers passed away on Sunday at the age of 76.
The president of SA Rugby, Mark Alexander, paid tribute to Henry Oswald “HO” de Villiers late on Sunday.
“HO de Villiers revolutionised fullback play with his counter attacks and he was widely regarded as one of the best to represent South Africa,” said Alexander.
“Unfortunately, injuries robbed him of the opportunity to play in many more Tests for the Springboks, but if he had the opportunity, he would surely have added many more internationals to his record.
“HO will always go down as one of the legends of Springbok rugby and even today, his name is well known amongst the rugby fraternity. Sportsmanship and honour were character traits closely associated with him, and that counts more than results in the end.
ALSO READ: ‘Ahead off his time’: Springbok fullback HO de Villiers dies aged 76
“To lose any member of the rugby family is a tragedy, but even more so when he was a real gentleman and someone who loved the game, gave back and always maintained a high moral standard.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Sandra, their children, family, friends and other loved ones during this time of grief. We hope you will find solace in the memories of a wonderful man who represented South Africa at the highest stage and contributed so much to the game he loved dearly.”
De Villiers, who was born on 10 March 1945 in Johannesburg, played in 14 Tests and another 15 non-Tests for South Africa between 1967 to 1970.
He made his Springbok debut against France in Durban in 1967 and scored four conversions and one penalty goal on the day as the hosts beat their visitors from Europe by 26-3.
Due to injury problems, De Villiers was forced to retire from the game early in his career. His last international was in 1970 in the drawn Test against Wales in Cardiff. He also represented UCT and Villagers at club level, and played in the blue and white hoops of Western Province from 1965 to 1975.
De Villiers underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his brain last year.
I was a great admirer of HO
It is no clear whether there are any family ties between HO and the youngster. It is weird that the surname De Villies originated from France and 3 Hugenot brothers were refugees who landed in Cape Town in 1688. and was goven farms in the area between Stellenbosh and the area now known as Franschhoek,
One of the two borthers died childless - but one had a son by the name locally called Jan - a Dutchified vesion of the name Jean which was his registered name. This Jean de Villiers had 12 children with is first wife (1 every 2nd year) - when she died he remarried and had one child every second year untill she had 10 children, Of the 22 children there were 3 boys and 1 girl who died young, Some of children married people with the surname of De Villiers already, - cousins and second cousins.
It is fom that lot that came all the residents of SA by the surname of De Villiers, All that happened beween 1715 and 1770.
Another interesting story came afterwards. In 1797 to 1800 a Lady by tne name of Anne Barnard - the wife of the Colonial Secretary - who corresponded with the Crown Prince in London. In one letter she wrote that the farmers were giants in size and very strong - now over 200 years after that the Springboks are still bigger and stronger than the UK rugby players. LOL.
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"Google AI says no (but it may be wrong, of course):
There is no known family connection between Stormers player Paul de Villiers and H.O. de Villiers. Paul de Villiers is a young flanker for the Stormers and Western Province, while H.O. de Villiers is a surname associated with many prominent South African rugby players, but no direct link to Paul de Villiers has been established.
With the same surname in South Africa there is obviously a connection, although it could be far removed.
My progenitor is the single origin of my surname going back 11 generations as far back as 1686...and some of my boys' looks are almost identical to some famous "relatives" from a fork in the family tree 6 generations back.
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Paul de Villiers
Paul de Villiers
Position: Flanker
Date of birth: 13/01/2003
Place of birth: George
Height: 181cm
Weight: 95kg
H O de Villiers
miskien sy oupa?