Jean de Villiers succeeds Faffa Knoetze at rugby players' organisation

De Villiers succeeds Faffa Knoetze, who has accepted the players' nomination to serve on SA Rugby's Executive Committee.

Knoetze, also a former Springbok centre who played 110 matches for Western Province, had served in the role since 2018.

NEWS FLASH: Former @Springboks skipper @Jdv1213 has been appointed as the new chairperson of the @MyPlayersRugby board. De Villiers succeeds Faffa Knoetze who has accepted the nomination by the players to serve on SARU's Executive Committee. #JeanDeVilliers #MyPlayers #Rugby ?? pic.twitter.com/951qlZSMpa

De Villiers, 41, has remained involved in rugby since retiring in 2016.

He has been the Head of Philanthropy at Citadel Investment Services since 2016, and in 2018 assumed the chairmanship of the Chris Burger-Petro Jackson Players' Fund. He's also worked as an analyst and commentator for SuperSport.

"When I retired from professional rugby, I merely packed away my boots," De Villiers said in a statement. "But the game of rugby never leaves you, and I will always care about the health of the industry, the sport, and the well-being of its most valuable assets - the players. When the players first approached me to serve on the MyPlayers board, I knew I had valuable perspectives and insights to contribute.

"MyPlayers does so much more for professional rugby players than managing their collective commercial and employment rights. It's a world I understand intimately, and I look forward to working alongside the board, the operational staff, and importantly, the current players who have availed themselves to also serve the game beyond the pitch."

De Villiers also lauded Knoetze for his leadership: "Faffa's contributions have had a considerable impact on the health of the organisation, and I am