Peter de Villiers Acquitted of Sexual Assault Charges in Vredenburg Court
Peter de Villiers Acquitted of Sexual Assault Charges in Vredenburg Court. Former Springbok coach, Peter de Villiers, has been acquitted on charges of sexual assault. Earlier in August, his lawyers filed a section 174 application to have the charges against him dropped. His legal team argued there was insufficient evidence for a conviction. The charges stem from a complaint filed while De Villiers was dabbling in a political career. In January last year, the GOOD Party received a complaint from a woman who accused De Villiers of allegedly sexually assaulting her after he dropped her off at home, following an event.
At the time, the former Bok coach was a member of the GOOD Party in Vredenburg. His party membership was terminated after a party disciplinary process found him guilty of breaching the party’s constitution and code of conduct. His section 174 application was heard in the Vredenburg Regional Court two weeks ago, and on Thursday, the court handed down its decision. His lawyer, Hendrik le Roux, said the magistrate found in De Villiers’ favour. “She indicated in her judgment there’s totally insufficient evidence to even ask Mr De Villiers to answer to these allegations which were made by this complainant against him.” Le Roux said his client was relieved by the outcome. “He’s very happy about the acquittal, this case has taken his life apart in the last year and a half. He lost all credibility.” He added that De Villiers would now focus on rebuilding his life.
Background to the Charges and Investigation
Peter de Villiers, the first black coach of the Springboks from 2008 to 2011, faced serious allegations stemming from an incident in January 2024. A woman accused him of sexual assault after he reportedly dropped her home following a GOOD Party event in Vredenburg, Western Cape. De Villiers, then a party member contesting elections, denied the claims, pleading not guilty to charges of attempted sexual assault, sexual assault, and crimen injuria.
The complaint led to a swift internal probe by GOOD, resulting in his membership termination for breaching the party’s constitution and code of conduct. Police arrested him shortly after, and the case proceeded to the Vredenburg Regional Court. De Villiers maintained his innocence throughout, with his defence highlighting inconsistencies in the complainant’s account and lack of corroborating evidence.
The investigation involved gathering statements, medical reports, and scene analysis, but prosecutors struggled to build a solid case. This paved the way for the section 174 application in early August 2025, where defence argued no reasonable court could convict based on the evidence presented.
Court Proceedings and Acquittal Decision
The section 174 application, heard two weeks before the ruling, allows for discharge if evidence is insufficient at the close of the state’s case. On Thursday, 28 August 2025, Magistrate Yolanda du Plessis acquitted De Villiers, finding the state’s case lacking. She ruled there was totally insufficient evidence to require De Villiers to defend himself, effectively ending the trial without his testimony.
Lawyer Hendrik le Roux praised the judgment, noting it restored his client’s dignity after a gruelling process. The acquittal came as a relief, with De Villiers expressing happiness but acknowledging the toll on his reputation and personal life. The case, lasting over 18 months, saw multiple postponements due to legal arguments and evidence disputes.
This outcome aligns with similar high-profile cases where section 174 succeeds due to weak prosecution evidence, emphasising the importance of thorough investigations before trials.
Impact on De Villiers’ Life and Career
De Villiers, now 67, described the ordeal as devastating, saying it took his life apart and cost him credibility. As the first non-white Springbok coach, he led the team to Tri-Nations victory in 2009 and a series win over the British & Irish Lions. Post-coaching, he ventured into politics with GOOD in 2023, aiming for a Western Cape seat, but the allegations derailed his campaign.
The scandal led to public scrutiny, with De Villiers stepping back from rugby commentary and community work. He now plans to rebuild, focusing on family and possibly mentoring young coaches. Supporters rallied online, celebrating the acquittal as justice served, while critics urged reflection on gender-based violence issues.
The case highlights challenges for public figures facing accusations, where reputations suffer regardless of outcomes. De Villiers’ team indicated no plans for countersuits but relief at moving forward.
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