Since his appointment in January 2008, Peter de Villiers has found himself a constant topic of discussion, from his coaching credentials to his rocky relationship with the media. His successes on the field have been regularly over-shadowed by his tendencies to say unleash the most bizarre public statements.

Every rugby season, fans wait in anticipation to for the Springbok coach’s next controversial comment, that leaves many either bursting into uncontrollable laughter or burning red hot with anger. It came as no surprise when the coach once again left many supporters lost for words recently, when he suggested that he deserved a medal. This followed, the Boks’ returned from Australasia, after suffering from back-to-back defeats (39-20 defeat to Australia and 40-7 thrashing by New Zealand).

De Villiers said the coaching team did an excellent job of forging players from different unions with different game patterns into a world-class team within a few weeks – despite some injuries.  One would be forgiven in for thinking that such a “feat” goes hand in hand with the job, but not in P Divvy’s world!

Coaching world champions has to be stressful job, but maybe the stress is getting gets the better of the Bok coach. It is in these “stressful” situations that de Villiers is most prone to profound quotes. Let’s go down memory lane and revisit the Springbok coach’s most memorable statements.



“What we try to tell them is when you point your finger into the sky, don’t concentrate on the finger because you’ll miss all the heavenly glory out there. Concentrate on the heavenly glory you can bring and make yourselves so fulfilled.”

(For some reason this reminds me of Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon. At least we know the coach is a kung fu fan.)

“The same people who threw their robes on the ground when Jesus rode on a donkey were the same people who crowned him and hit him with sticks, and were the same people who said afterwards how we shouldn’t have done that, he’s the son of God. So that’s exactly what we do. You have to look at history as repeating itself. And I’m not saying that I’m God.”

(Nothing wrong with being a God-fearing man.)

“I’m a God-given talent, I’m the best I can ever be. So what you think doesn’t bother me. I know what I am and I don’t give a damn.”

(P Div lets the media know who’s boss)

"The way things are going right now, in a few year's time these guys won't need a coach."

(Trademark confidence. After the Springboks' second consecutive win over the All Blacks at Durban in the 2009 Tri-Nations, who needs modesty?)

As the pressure of the Rugby World will surely intensify, one wonders what the Bok coach will say next.