Ireland and South Africa are two rugby nations that Jean de Villiers has intimate knowledge of in different ways.

A former captain of his native South Africa, the 36 year old who retired at the end of the 2015-16 season, also spent a season at Munster in 2009-10.

The former centre was in Dublin ahead of Saturday's November International fixture between Joe Schmidt's Ireland and the Springboks and he took time out to preview the game with our own Oisin Langan.

"I think it will be a hell of a game with Ireland certainly being one of the top rugby nations in the world over the last 12 months and putting up some really good performances," he said.

South African captain Jean de Villiers wearing his 100th test cap with his wife Marlie in 2014 ©INPHO/Photosport/Chris Symes

"There have been elements of inconsistency I suppose as well in some of their performances but certainly they have shown that they can beat any team on any given day.

"South Africa on the other hand, they are in a bit of a different frame of mind. They have improved a lot over the last six months or so and they've got a lot to prove. Two teams that will be in a very different space to the last time that they met last year in South Africa and South Africa knows the challenge that lies ahead for Saturday's game. It will be difficult to beat them. It's always difficult to beat an Ireland team here in Dublin and this week will be no different."

2007 Rugby World Cup winner De Villiers also backed South Africa head coach Allister Coetzee's assertion that the improvement has come at the set piece and also feels there has been an improvement in defence and in evolving the attack.