Johannesburg - Peter de Villiers's new employer, the University of the Western Cape (UWC), believes the former Springbok coach will be a big asset to its institution.

De Villiers will take up a new post as director of rugby at UWC.

"Peter brings decades of knowledge relating to rugby and other sports to the UWC community. He will motivate students and staff alike and his impact on the entire sports programme will be immense," vice-chancellor, Brian O'Connell said.

He said De Villiers's extensive expertise would not be confined to simply growing UWC sportsmen and women to achieve on the scoreboard.

"As an engaged university, UWC is also about uplifting and empowering the community it serves, and De Villiers's extended brief is to establish a UWC-based resource centre that will create a new generation of coaches, players, referees and administrators from local clubs and schools, as well as from UWC."

De Villiers said the appointment was his dream job.

"I am asked how one follows up on coaching the national side at international level. The answer is simple: by giving back and transforming sport at grassroots level, and through this position at UWC, I get to do this and fulfil a lifelong ambition."

The Cape Times reported that De Villiers had officially been involved with UWC since the start of the month.

"It's good to be working again and great to have a hands-on role in the sport I love. I have been impressed with the potential to grow rugby at UWC and think I can play a positive role there," he said.

Speaking at a breakfast hosted by the newspaper on Monday, he said he would help the university in a project to regain its status as a rugby stronghold.

De Villiers was replaced by Heyneke Meyer as national coach at the beginning of the year.

In his four-year term, he coached the Springboks to Tri-Nations champions and a series victory over the British and Irish Lions in 2009.

His stint ended on a low as the Springboks bowed out of last year's World Cup in New Zealand against Australia in the quarter-finals.