Stormers' rising star Paul de Villiers is gearing up for his debut in the coveted green and gold jersey in an upcoming clash with the Barbarians at Gqeberha. At just 23, De Villiers credits much of his flair at the breakdown to his childhood hero, former Springbok fetcher Heinrich Brüssow, a master in the art of the turnover.
De Villiers reminisced about his formative years, "It is hard to single out guys, but yes, I watched a lot of Brüssow's rugby, and I definitely learned from how he tackled the breakdown." Brüssow, known for his pivotal role in the Boks' 2009 triumphs against the British & Irish Lions and in the Tri-Nations, left a lasting imprint on the young flanker.
The recent Vodacom URC season saw De Villiers just shy of being the top turnover winner, a testament to his growing prowess. "As I played more rugby through my school years, I formed into a fetcher role, but I hope that is not the only thing I contribute," he added.
"Bok training is next level"
Now, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Siya Kolisi and other Bok stalwarts, De Villiers finds himself in a relentless learning curve. "I learned a lot from watching top players at the breakdown. I am still learning, and right now from guys like Siya [Kolisi], Siba [Mahashe] and Emmanuel [Tshituka]. I have stuff I bring to the table, but Siya adds things I can learn, so it is good to listen, watch, and learn."
The thrill of winning a turnover, De Villiers admits, is akin to scoring a try. "I suppose it is the same thrill. It is part of my job to make turnovers, and when you get off the field and have contributed in that area, it feels good."
As the Stormers flanker prepares to showcase his skills on a larger stage, his journey from a schoolboy inspired by Brüssow to sharing the field with current Bok heroes encapsulates the essence of rugby's generational legacy and the perpetual cycle of learning and improvement.
De Villiers' debut is not just a personal milestone but a moment of reflection on the impact that past legends have on the new guard, continuously shaping the game's future.