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South Africa's Jean de Villiers out to prove himself in final home Test

Jean de Villiers issues instructions during last year's Rugby Championship
Image: Jean de Villiers: The Springboks captain's leadership is valued by Heyneke Meyer.

South Africa captain Jean de Villiers is relishing his return to Test rugby in what looks certain to be his final Springbok appearance on home soil against Argentina in the Rugby Championship on Saturday.

The 34-year-old required a full knee reconstruction after suffering a dislocation against Wales in November and missed eight months before making his return last month when South Africa played a World XV in Cape Town.

De Villiers admitted there were times he feared he would never pull on a Springbok jersey again and that will make running out in front of the South African crowd in Durban’s King’s Park extra special.

"There were times when I didn't think I would get here again," de Villiers told reporters. "The reality is it will be my last Test in South Africa. I can't see myself playing international rugby next year."

The centre's leadership on and off the pitch is highly-valued by coach Heyneke Meyer, but with the emergence of exciting young backline talents in the squad, de Villiers believes he still has to prove he deserves his place.

Damian de Allende on his way to score a try during the match between South Africa and World VX
Image: Damian de Allende has excelled at inside centre in the absence of Jean de Villiers.

"I need to perform good enough to make the 31-man World Cup squad,” he said. "The emotion is out of it now, I have made my comeback and I'm not injured anymore. It is also about me proving to myself that I am good enough.

"Competition within a squad is the best thing you can have if it is approached in the right way and if the attitudes of the guys involved are good. Certainly in that regard it has been fantastic in this team."

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The form of inside centre Damian de Allende in 2015 means de Villiers will make his return in the number 13 jersey.  He admits it is not his favoured position, but is looking forward to the challenge; with his return seeing exciting youngster Jesse Kriel move to the wing.

He said: "I have always said I prefer 12 but I don't mind 13. We have got such an exciting backline and we can interchange so much. Guys can fill in different positions and that's quite exciting."

Watch the Springboks take on Argentina in the Rugby Championship, live on Sky Sports 3 from 3.30pm on Saturday.

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