All between the ears for Jean

 

The experience of having bounced back from big setbacks as a young player has helped the 106-Test midfielder in dealing mentally with the challenge of ending his career at the World Cup later this year.

 

De Villiers made a tragic start to his international career, injuring his knee just five minutes into his debut against France in Marseilles, and fought back only to be ruled out of the 2003 World Cup by a shoulder injury he picked up in in a warm-up game.

 

He would suffer more World Cup heartbreak four years later with a torn bicep in the Springboks' opening game against Samoa which forced him to watch from the sidelines as his team raised the trophy.

 

When he got trapped awkwardly at the bottom of a pile of bodies in the Springboks' last Test of 2014 against Wales at the Millemium Stadium, suffering another ACL injury, many thought it was the end of the 34-year-old's career.

 

However, he is on track to lead the side he has captained for the last four years under Heyneke Meyer to the World Cup in England, and although he could not commit to an expected return date he is clearly feeling very positive about the situation.

 

"I'm getting there, it has given me the opportunity to look at the body as a whole and just get everything in good nick.

 

"We have got certain targets that we want to reach, I won't put a game on it now but we have got a plan in place for it and at this stage I am taking it day by day, only time will tell," he said at a technical demonstration of the new Springbok World Cup jersey in Cape Town on Thursday.

 

De Villiers explained that this particular comeback has been easiest of them all, as he has the benefit of experience and one final goal to aim at in the World Cup.

 

"The mental part is very important, luckily from my point of view I have had quite a few setbacks in my career and from a mental point of view I have learned through that and been able to get stronger in that regard.

 

"In a way it is easier with the fact that you have got such a big prize at the end of the journey to work towards and it definitely motivates me to do better and to get better soon.

 

"From an emotional point of view and a mental point of view I think it was one of the best things that happened to me getting those injuries at the beginning of my career, and certainly now when I am in the same position it is much easier," he said.

 

With the World Cup almost certain to be his international swansong, De Villiers may well be looking at options abroad next year for a nice retirement package.

 

He admitted to being impressed by Japan when he went over to Kobe recently for in-depth testing for the World Cup jersey, and said he would happily return there if given the opportunity.

 

"I would love to, my experience there was unbelievable and I would love to do that, so lets see what happens but it is not my priority at this stage," he said.