De Villiers was a key figure in his country's recent series triumph over the Lions, starting both the first and second Tests as the Springboks made amends for their 1997 defeat to the world's most-famous touring side.
The 28-year-old played against the likes of Paul O'Connell, Ronan O'Gara and Donncha O'Callaghan during that recent Lions series, but he is now set to run out alongside the Irish trio at Thomond Park on Sunday.
De Villiers, who signed for Munster from Western Province, joined up with his new team-mates on Thursday of last week following the completion of South Africa's Tri Nations campaign.
And the former Stormers star arrived in Ireland in confident mood and with a winning mentality after the Boks backed up their 2007 World Cup win by beating the Lions; regaining their status as the IRB's number-one ranked side in world rugby; and by claiming their first Tri Nations crown since 2004.
With Munster yet to announce their starting XV for the clash with Paul Turner's Dragons, de Villiers has been named in an extended 25-man squad alongside 2009 Lions O'Connell, O'Gara, O'Callaghan and Keith Earls, who will all be making their first appearances since returning from the 10-match tour of South Africa.
Fellow Lion John Hayes, a late call up to the 2009 Lions party, is also included, as are original Lions selections Alan Quinlan and Tomas O'Leary, who missed the tour through suspension and injury respectively.
Munster 25-man squad to face the Dragons
Forwards: M Horan, J Brugnaut, T Buckley, J Hayes, D Fogarty, D Varley, M O'Driscoll, P O'Connell, D O'Callaghan, D Ryan, A Quinlan, T O'Donnell, D Leamy, N Williams, J Coughlan
Backs: T O'Leary, T Morland, R O'Gara, J Manning, L Mafi, J de Villiers, B Murphy, D Hurley, K Earls, F Jones
