5 Jun 2012

De Villiers named Springbok captain

11:42 am on 5 June 2012

Centre Jean de Villiers will captain the Springboks in their home series against England.

The 31-year-old, who was named the South African Rugby Player of the Year in 2008, has played in 72 Tests for the Boks and de Villiers is the 10th most-capped Springbok of all time.

John Smit, Victor Matfield and Johann Muller have led the Boks during his time.

Coach Heineke Meyer says he's been impressed with de Villiers and the way he has led a young Stormers side.

De Villiers was part of the squad which won the 2007 World Cup but he was injured in South Africa's opening game of the tournament and played no part in the final.

The first test against England is this weekend.