Springbok centre Jean de Villiers has been signed by Western Province and Stormers and will be available for the Currie Cup this year already.

De Villiers spent the past year with the Irish outfit Munster but has decided to return to South Africa with the intention of securing a place in the Springbok squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

The announcement was made by WP’s Senior Professional Coach Rassie Erasmus and MD of WP Rugby (Pty) Ltd Rob Wagner at the High Performance Centre in Bellville.

The other big scoop for the union was the acquisition of prop CJ van der Linde who has just returned to South Africa after a two-year stint in Ireland with Leinster.

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Despite Bryan Habana’s move to Cape Town, the excellent form of Gio Aplon and the experience of Frikkie Welsh, Fijian International Sireli Naqelavuki still remains in the picture as Stormers wing.

In fact Stormers head coach Rassie Erasmus admitted he has a “soft spot” for the Fijian, who cost Western Province dearly when a head-high tackle – the result of a lazy, stiff arm – handed Springbok star Morné Steyn and opportunity to win the Currie Cup semifinal for the Blue Bulls last Saturday.

Steyn duly obliged and slotted a penalty from near 50 metres, at an angle, to see the Bulls advance to face the Cheetahs in the Currie Cup Final, while WP will be watching from the sidelines.

It wasn’t Naqelevuki’s only blunder this year, while his poor work rate and generally disappointing form has seen him become ‘persona non grata’ in Cape Town.

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