RUGBY NEWS - Rising Stormers loose forward Paul de Villiers is set to make his highly anticipated senior international debut for the Springboks today, Saturday, 20 June. 

The 23-year-old former Junior Springbok captain who hails from George, has been named on the replacements bench for South Africa’s season-opening clash against the Barbarians at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. 

Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00. 

De Villiers earned his call-up from head coach Rassie Erasmus after a stellar United Rugby Championship campaign, where he turned heads as a lethal breakdown specialist. 

He further cemented his readiness by topping the squad's rigorous fitness testing during the pre-season camp. 

The young flanker, who models his relentless style of play on Bok legend Heinrich Brüssow, is expected to bring immense work rate and defensive pressure when unleashed in the second half. Today’s fixture serves as a vital warm-up before the Springboks launch their inaugural Nations Championship campaign next month.

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