EXCLUSIVE: One-on-one with Paul de Villiers
SPOTLIGHT: Springbok loose forward Paul de Villiers sat down with Rugby365 and spoke about his debut Test season, his on-field relationship with Siya Kolisi and the team’s preparation tactics for the Nations Championship.
In a one-on-one conversation prior to the Boks’ Test win against Italy, De Villiers enjoyed a lighthearted chat with Angus Opperman.
*Also read: Annihilation and innovation: Why Turin blowout bodes well for Boks
De Villiers touched on the difference he experienced playing for the Boks compared to the United Rugby Championship, where he recently skippered the Stormers in recent matches.
“It’s definitely a different level [playing Test Rugby]; you get exposed to better players, and everyone on the field at Test level are proper players,” De Villiers told Rugby365 from the Boks’ hotel in Turin last week.
“It [the game] is definitely a bit faster. What I’ve learnt the most is the consequences of a bad decision or mistake, which could end up in three points against your team or ending up in your own 22-metre area.
“But it’s been a really blessed season for me, and I’m really happy to get exposed to this level, and hopefully I’ll keep my head down and work hard to stay here.”
Watch the full interview below…
The No.6 flanker recently played alongside his Springbok captain Siya Kolisi in the Stormers’ loose trio and spoke about what that experience was like.
“It’s quite cool to have played in the same back row at the Stormers, although we haven’t done it at Bok level.
“Being able to play alongside him and not be his replacement off the bench and vice versa was quite cool to play together.
“It was the first game [against Bristol Bears] where I was in a leadership role. I’m also blessed because we’re quite spoilt at the Stormers being around so many leaders.
“And having a guy like Siya next to me was awesome.”
When asked if he would like to play alongside Kolisi for the Boks, he added: “That’s not something for me to comment on, but I would say it was cool to do it at the Stormers,” the former Junior Springbok captain said lightheartedly.
Continues below…
The Boks turn their attention to France this week after demolishing Italy in Turin.
The conditions in the Northern Hemisphere are changing from Autumn to winter, and it makes quite a difference in preparation, according to De Villiers.
“It’s different playing in the Northern Hemisphere, especially at this time of the year; that’s the first thing.
“It’s a couple of big fixtures we have ahead of us, but the whole squad and the coaches’ focus is only on the next job at hand.
“Regarding preparation, we prep differently for different teams, because each one of them brings different challenges.
“Obviously, the weather also plays a role; it’s been good for us in training to get used to the wet ball coming from South Africa, where we need 20-minute water breaks because it’s so hot.
“So yes, it’s good to get used to the weather with the wet ball in hand as well,” he concluded.
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