But before he headed home the 99-times capped Irish Grand Slam and 2005 Lions skipper became the latest critic of the under fire De Villiers for his reluctance to condemn the eye gouging by Schalk Burger in last weekend's second test against the British & Irish Lions.
Burger was banned for eight weeks on Sunday for gouging Luke Fitzgerald in the opening minute of the Boks' 28-25 series clinching win in Pretoria. De Villiers initially refused to condemn the actions of his back row forward, but ended up issuing a public apology on Monday night.
Now O'Driscoll, one of the most respected figureheads in the global game, has given his views on the issue four days before the third and final Test.
"When I heard those comments yesterday I wondered how someone can get away with something like that," he said.
"Irrespective of any apology, I find it an absolute disgrace that a coach of a national team can make comments as he did about gouging being part of the game.
"Someone made a really good point to me that kids, or parents watching an interview like that, questioning whether they should have their kid play rugby or soccer, that's their decision made right there.
"To hear a national coach saying in any shape or form, gouging is acceptable in the modern day game, is despicable. I find it mind-boggling that you can have a national team coach saying something like that.
"Essentially it brought the game into disrepute."
The IRB have already launched an investigation into the whole affair and O'Driscoll has backed their actions.
"De Villiers was trying to ease the sentence for one of his players. I just can't believe for a second that he thought Schalk Burger would get away with it," added O'Driscoll.
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