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Johannesburg - Springbok centre Damian de Allende says the team will have to move on from the disappointment of losing captain Jean de Villiers to injury as they ‘still have a job to do’.
While De Villiers arrived back in South Africa on Tuesday, the Boks were still coming to grips with his premature departure from the Rugby World Cup following their bruising battle against Samoa in Birmingham over the weekend.
De Villiers announced his retirement from international rugby after he fractured his jaw in the encounter, bringing an end to his illustrious career of 109 Tests for South Africa.
De Allende said it was tough to see his mentor and midfield partner leave but added their focus needed to shift to the crucial clash against the Pool-B topping Scots.
“I’ve known Jean for a couple of years now, he’s taught me a lot that I know of this level of rugby when he gave us the news on Saturday night it was very emotional in the team environment,” De Allende said at a press conference in Newcastle on Tuesday.
“It is quite a tough pill to swallow but we all know we still have to go out and still have a job to do and Jean wants us to stay focussed.
“We are not just doing it for ourselves but Jean is also included.”
Saturday’s clash at St James’ Park - the home of English football side Newcastle United - is scheduled for 17:45 (SA time).
