Jean de Villiers, the former South Africa captain and 2007 World Cup winning centre, has joined Leicester Tigers.
De Villiers, who won his 109th and final cap for the Springboks before announcing his international retirement after suffering a broken jaw in the World Cup victory over Samoa, will arrive at Welford Road in December.
During a distinguished career, he featured in three successive World Cup campaigns, including being part of South Africa’s world title-winning squad eight years ago.
He is the Springboks’ most capped centre, while only three South Africa players – Victor Matfield, Bryan Habana and John Smit – have made more Test match appearances.
Leicester’s director of rugby, Richard Cockerill, said: “Jean brings invaluable experience to the squad. He is among the leading centres in the modern game and has played at the very highest level for a significant period of time.
“In recent seasons we’ve brought in players like Brad Thorn and Lote Tuqiri from successful environments in the southern hemisphere and they have made a significant contribution here. The signing of Jean de Villiers is another move in that style and we look forward to welcoming him and his family to the Tigers and to him starting work with us on 1 December.”
Following the retirement of Anthony Allen over the summer and with Manu Tuilagi still nursing a long-term groin injury, the Tigers have been short in midfield this season and the capture of De Villiers, 34, is a considerable coup for last season’s beaten Premiership semi-finalists.
