You can always rely on Peter de Villiers to rock the boat just when you least expect it, with Crusaders star Sonny Bill Williams the latest to feel the sharp side of the Springboks coach's tongue.

De Villiers has launched a bizarre broadside at the in-form Crusaders and All Blacks midfielder at a media briefing in Boland, taking a less than subtle dig at the much-hyped former rugby league star.

"I'm looking forward to seeing Sonny Bill against a Jean de Villiers and a Jaque Fourie, who can cut down (his) space ... and on the inside you've got big, hard tackles coming in from a Schalk Burger.

"See (whether) the boxer can box then, or the dancer can dance."

De Villiers was making reference to next month's much-anticiapted clash between conference leaders the Stormers and Crusaders at Newlands.

Whether De Villiers' digs at Williams are part of some deep-seated psychological ploy ahead of the World Cup, or merely just the latest musings from that wandering mind of his, there's no doubt they will be noted.

If both the All Blacks and Boks win their pool matches as expected at the World Cup they could meet at the semifinal stage.

De Villiers also told the assembled journalists that Williams had "lost four balls in contact" in their 34-16 victory over the Chiefs last round and laid a pretty emphatic challenge at the big midfielder's feet.

"We all know what this game's about: any great star on the horizon ... as soon as you are worked out, that is when your true character must come to the fore."

To be fair to De Villiers, he did generously admit that Williams was having a pretty fair rookie season of Super Rugby.

"He's doing brilliantly at the moment; playing good rugby."

De Villiers has made a career out of his outrageous comments, including defending Bakkies Botha's outrageous off-the-ball antics and alleging the All Blacks were getting favourable treatment from referees as part of a World Cup conspiracy.

Fairfax Media