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Dublin - He was due to have delivered a short address about the Test at the Garryowen club on Thursday night and give his expert opinion for BBC's coverage of the Test between South Africa and Ireland at Croke Park.
Those were Jean de Villiers's original plans.
Now he has to, along with Wynand Olivier and Jaque Fourie, study and analyse the Irish players from video footage.
"I had to change my plans quickly when I heard on Tuesday that I was called up to join the Bok squad," De Villiers told Sport24, shortly after he was selected as a substitute for the Test against Ireland.
De Villiers at present plays for Munster along with many of his opponents in the Irish team.
"This is a unique opportunity for me, I will be playing against all my friends, some in the Bok team, and some in the Irish team," he said with a smile.
De Villiers also believes that the selection of Wynand Olivier to replace Adrian Jacobs is the right decision.
Jacobs took De Villiers's place in the Bok team after the latter's move to Munster.
"Wynand deserves it because he was spectacular this year. This is just reward for him," said De Villiers.
Olivier was just as satisfied with his inclusion.
"It is not always easy being a substitute, but to become negative because of limited playing time will not help. It is often the guys who do not play on the weekend who keep the tour lively with their positive attitudes. That is why there is never an opportunity to become negative."
For Olivier, this is the perfect ending to the tour. He scored his first Test try against Italy and now gets the opportunity to measure himself against Brian O'Driscoll.
"That is why you play - to pit yourself against the best. To play against him on his home ground will be a highlight. We do not know much about their new flyhalf (Jonathan Sexton), so we will have to wait and see what happens. Ireland can play in different ways. We're not sure what to expect from them. Nothing will surprise us."
BJ Botha, who unexpectedly gets another chance in the Test team, says it could influence his decision whether to return to South Africa.
"The next World Cup is definitely a goal and the unexpected chance to play for the Boks again, has confirmed that. There is no bigger honour," said Botha.
He says that the Irish scrum is very tough. "Any scrum in the Northern Hemisphere has to be good, otherwise you will never survive. We will definitely not have it easy (on Saturday), but this is what motivates the Bok team. We enjoy challenges."
Dublin - He was due to have delivered a short address about the Test at the Garryowen club on Thursday night and give his expert opinion for BBC's coverage of the Test between South Africa and Ireland at Croke Park.
Those were Jean de Villiers's original plans.
Now he has to, along with Wynand Olivier and Jaque Fourie, study and analyse the Irish players from video footage.
"I had to change my plans quickly when I heard on Tuesday that I was called up to join the Bok squad," De Villiers told Sport24, shortly after he was selected as a substitute for the Test against Ireland.
De Villiers at present plays for Munster along with many of his opponents in the Irish team.
"This is a unique opportunity for me, I will be playing against all my friends, some in the Bok team, and some in the Irish team," he said with a smile.
De Villiers also believes that the selection of Wynand Olivier to replace Adrian Jacobs is the right decision.
Jacobs took De Villiers's place in the Bok team after the latter's move to Munster.
"Wynand deserves it because he was spectacular this year. This is just reward for him," said De Villiers.
Olivier was just as satisfied with his inclusion.
"It is not always easy being a substitute, but to become negative because of limited playing time will not help. It is often the guys who do not play on the weekend who keep the tour lively with their positive attitudes. That is why there is never an opportunity to become negative."
For Olivier, this is the perfect ending to the tour. He scored his first Test try against Italy and now gets the opportunity to measure himself against Brian O'Driscoll.
"That is why you play - to pit yourself against the best. To play against him on his home ground will be a highlight. We do not know much about their new flyhalf (Jonathan Sexton), so we will have to wait and see what happens. Ireland can play in different ways. We're not sure what to expect from them. Nothing will surprise us."
BJ Botha, who unexpectedly gets another chance in the Test team, says it could influence his decision whether to return to South Africa.
"The next World Cup is definitely a goal and the unexpected chance to play for the Boks again, has confirmed that. There is no bigger honour," said Botha.
He says that the Irish scrum is very tough. "Any scrum in the Northern Hemisphere has to be good, otherwise you will never survive. We will definitely not have it easy (on Saturday), but this is what motivates the Bok team. We enjoy challenges."
