Paul de Villiers is building on a debut that few newcomers would relish. Hours before kick-off against England, the 23-year-old Stormers flanker was told he would start after Siya Kolisi was ruled out, and responded with a performance that helped the Boks to a 45-21 win. He followed that with another strong display against Scotland, prominent both at the breakdown and as a ball-carrier.
De Villiers acknowledged the extra preparation time ahead of the Scotland Test made a tangible difference. "Against Scotland I got a bit more prep time, which was good for me. Still a lot of nerves, but it was good to almost expect to know what's coming and be more ready for the game."
He credits the Springbok setup for easing the transition, pointing specifically to the squad's collective mentality. "Every guy that steps into that role plays towards a common goal. It's not about the ego or the player himself; it's more about the team." De Villiers also cited the structured progression through Currie Cup and franchise rugby as a foundation that makes the step up to Test level feel less abrupt.
His next assignment is Wales flanker Jac Morgan, who was prominent in Wales's win over Fiji. De Villiers is familiar with Morgan from URC competition against the Ospreys, but is wary of over-focusing on the opposition. "He's one of their players who stands out a lot. But I think for us, a big focus will also be on ourselves, focusing on our own standards and our own goals for Saturday."