Springbok centre Jean de Villiers will miss the Test against Wales in Cardiff on June the 5th due to a shoulder injury.

De Villiers was to partner Bath flyhalf Butch James in the team which contained only a handful of Stormers and Bulls players for the one-off game abroad. His place would be taken by Springbok and Stormers centre Jaque Fourie, De Villiers’ regular partner over the past year.

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers broke the news on Kyknet’s SuperRugby on Monday night, calling it a “setback” for the team. De Villiers said the test was the “perfect opportunity to have a look at a number of players ahead of the 2011 World Cup.”

“Everyone has been talking about how we need to manage the players well this year and what better opportunity is there than to give some of the younger players an opportunity to prove themselves. After all, rugby doesn’t stop after 2011,” De Villiers told SuperRugby host Kobus Wiese.

“It is important for us to have a good look at these players ahead of the World Cup and these tests will provide the ideal opportunity for us to see what they are capable of.” De Villiers said however, that the Bok management’s greatest challenge was to keep the natural enthusiasm of the younger players in check at Test level.

“You get a player who is so excited to be there and so motivated to show us what he is capable of, that sometimes he strays outside the game plan. It is our biggest challenge as coaches to make sure this doesn’t happen.” In a jovial mood, De Villiers didn’t want to be drawn in on who would win Saturday’s mammoth Vodacom Super 14 final between the Bulls and Stormers.

“Both sides have the self-confidence and ability to take it to another level,” De Villiers said, “The nice thing is that a few years ago our seasons were over by this stage of the competition. Now it’s nice to know that the other countries’ seasons are over.

“All I know is that a South African team will win, and that makes me happy.”

Source: supersport.co.za

Tags: jean de villiers, Springboks