De Villiers hangs up his boots

South African born De Villiers has decided to sign off an eleven-year stay at Stade Francais after a long term neck injury saw him sidelined for the majority of this season.

The prop suffered a cervical injury in December and has been in and out of Fabien Gathie's first choice 15 since then.

"I have found it difficult to make it back into the squad since my injury," he said.

I think it's the right time for me to change my job. I don't have regrets, I did so many amazing things, I played a World Cup final with the French side and won two Grand Slams… I'm so lucky".

"I only have great memories," said De Villiers. "I have won many titles and played in two World Cups in 1999 and 2007 and have had some great times with my teammates in Paris and with the French side.

"It was a wonderful experience and I was really spoiled to have this life", he added.

Speaking to www.stade.fr about his achievements since joining Stade Francais in 1997 the 35 year old said: "When I arrived in Paris, I didn't speak French at all, I was a little bit lost here.

"I was just came to get some experience before returning to South Africa. I never thought that I will spend all my career here".

And what a club career the prop had, winning five French championships (1998, 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2007) and playing in two Heineken Cup finals in 2001 against Leicester Tigers and in 2005 against Toulouse in his 11 seasons with the metropolitan club.