[imagesource: Wikimedia Commons]

Shame, this poor shoplifter had nothing on Jean de Villiers who chased him down at a Paarl mall after being spotted stealing.

The former Springbok rugby captain apprehended the suspect in plakkies, nogal.

The thing that makes this even more of an ‘only in South Africa’ situation is that de Villiers’ braai vleis shopping was interrupted as the incident occurred at The Boer & Butcher in Paarl.

De Villiers confirmed to Netwerk24 that he spotted the man allegedly slipping chocolates into his bag before walking out as casually as he could on January 23, only to start running for his life as soon as de Villiers went after him.

Surveillance footage shows the scene unfold:

De Villiers and his wife Marlie were at the checkout when the former skipper spotted the man acting suspiciously:

Netwerk24 also quoted a voice note from De Villiers in which he recalled the incident. “I 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.

“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.”

The shop’s owner Edu Hanekom was really grateful that there was a former Springbok rugby captain on the scene, as he promptly arrived with the thief.

De Villiers apparently caught the thief at Home Affairs in Paarl and brought him back to be handed over to security.

Here is proof that @JeandeVilliers1 can come out of retirement! 😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/Vkcc7dS7e9

— thevillageguy (@thevillageguy1) February 8, 2023

Springboks legend Jean de Villiers chasing a shoplifter and taking him back to the store. Who needs SA Police Service? Lol pic.twitter.com/VvbKYnWpYJ

— Lethabo (@MandelaMinutes) February 8, 2023

Imagine you stealing food and Jean de Villiers runs after you 🤣🤣🤣

— Beelo (@centralcpt) February 8, 2023

Lmfao imagine being chased down by Jean De Villiers, in plakkies 😭😭

— 🗿Tracey The Blocked 🏹 (@TraceyManus) February 8, 2023

My heart goes out to the shoplifter. He did not see that tackle coming.

[source:news24]