Paul de Villiers admits there are a few nerves, but mostly excitement, after earning his first call-up to a Springbok alignment camp under Rassie Erasmus. MORNÉ ESBEN reports.
The Stormers loose forward has been one of the standout performers in the Vodacom URC and Investec Champions Cup this season, delivering a string of high-impact displays and stacking up Man of the Match awards along the way. Now, that form has been rewarded with inclusion in a 49-man alignment squad ahead of the international season.
The camp will run from Tuesday, 3 March to Friday, 6 March, as the Bok coaches zoom in on the 2026 season.
The group includes 14 World Cup winners, with Frans Malherbe – who has been out of action since the 2023 World Cup final due to back and neck injuries – making a notable return to the squad, while five current Junior Boks also feature in the group.
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For De Villiers, it’s recognition, but nothing more than that. Yet.
“I’m very excited and a bit nervous as well,” he told SARugbymag.co.za. “I do realise that it’s only a foot in the door, and it doesn’t mean that everyone in the group will get to play.
“But to be there is obviously nice to know that they see you and that the work you’ve done is being acknowledged. The hard work starts now.”
De Villiers has quietly built a reputation as one of the most consistent and industrious loose forwards in the competition – a player comfortable doing the graft, but increasingly influential in the big moments.
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The alignment camp offers exposure to the Springbok environment, structures and standards and, crucially, a chance to show Erasmus and his management team he belongs at the next level.
“To be part of it is awesome, but to stay there is probably the most important and it’s going to be the only way of getting a debut and becoming a Springbok for the long-term,” De Villiers said.
“That’s obviously been the goal for as long as I can remember. I’ll probably become a better player out of it.”
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Players invited to the first Springbok alignment camp
Forwards: Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Ox Nche, Kai Pratt, Emmanuel Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka (all Sharks), Johan Grobbelaar, Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Wilco Louw, Siphosethu Mnebebele, Ruan Nortje, Gerhard Steenekamp, Marco van Staden, Cobus Wiese, Jan-Hendrik Wessels (all Bulls), Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon, Neethling Fouche, Frans Malherbe, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Salmaan Moerat, Riley Norton, Zachary Porthen, Evan Roos (all Stormers), Bathobele Hlekani, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruan Venter (all Lions).
Backs: Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker, Makazole Mapimpi, Edwill van der Merwe, Grant Williams, Jaco Williams (all Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sebastian de Klerk, Cheswill Jooste, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard (all Bulls), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Markus Muller, Cobus Reinach, Damian Willemse (all Stormers), Quan Horn, Haashim Pead, Morne van den Berg (all Lions).
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
The post De Villiers eager to learn from Rassie appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
