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Cape Town - Jean de Villiers says he does not expect a free ride to the World Cup rugby tournament later this year.
The Springbok captain is currently recovering from a serious knee and is in a race against time to be fit to possibly lead the Boks at the World Cup in September in England and Wales.
"My rehabilitation is going according to plan.
"Hopefully I can get in a few games before the World Cup so that I can put myself in a position to be selected," De Villiers said in an exclusive interview on Tuesday.
The veteran of 106 Tests wants to show that he still has what it takes to make a difference for the Boks.
"Hopefully I will deserve my place in the side and it will be a huge honour if I am asked to captain the side as well.
"But we will cross that bridge when we get there. At this stage I just want to be ready to play rugby again."
De Villiers says Boks like Damian de Allende, Juan de Jongh, Jan Serfontein, Frans Steyn and JP Pietersen has so far been in good form in the Super Rugby competition.
"There are quite a few options in the centre position. A few young players like Burger Odendaal (Bulls), Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster (Lions) as well as Francois Venter (Cheetahs) have caught my eye.
"Competition is always good, but at the end of the day the selectors will have to choose the best players for the job," he added.
