Former Springbok skipper Jean de Villiers reportedly chased down and apprehended an alleged shoplifter in Paarl.
According to Netwerk24, the eagle-eyed De Villiers spotted a man allegedly slipping sweets into his pockets before walking out of The Boer & Butcher on 23 January.
Store owner Edu Hanekom told Netwerk24 that De Villiers and his wife Marlie, who are regular customers, were at the checkout when the ex-Bok and DHL Stormers captain first spotted the man acting suspiciously.
Hanekom said De Villiers then followed the alleged thief outside the store, and after trying to evade him, was caught by the 41-year-old and brought back to the shop.
“We are very grateful for Jean’s actions. It was quite a thing when a former Springbok rugby captain arrived with the thief,” Hanekom said.
Screenshots from surveillance footage show the 109-Test-capped centre racing after the suspect, before returning and handing him over to a security guard.
Netwerk24 also quoted a voice note from De Villiers to his wife recounting his actions, and how he “watched him the whole time without him seeing that I was watching him”.
“And when I looked again, he just slowly started walking out. And when he walked out, I also slowly walked behind him,” he told his spouse.
“When I said ‘hey’ he looked around and started running. Then I just said to myself, but I must also run now. And then I ran out of my sandals and glasses and finally across the road.
“There is always a queue at Home Affairs and he bumped into a guy and I was able to secure him.”