Paul De Villiers: Inside the Springboks Star’s Luxury GWM Tank 300 SUV

Paul De Villiers: Inside the Springboks Star’s Luxury GWM Tank 300 SUV

  • Springbok forward Paul de Villiers confirmed a partnership with GWM on 21 July, adding a high-profile brand association to his rising rugby career
  • De Villiers drives a Tank 300 SUV, available in South Africa in petrol, hybrid and diesel variants with outputs ranging from 135 kW to 255 kW
  • The Tank 300 comes with notable off-road specs including 224 mm ground clearance and a towing capacity of up to 3,000 kg

Paul de Villiers was among the Springboks' standout performers during a difficult encounter against Australia, particularly with his effectiveness at the breakdown.

Despite South Africa fighting back from a 42-17 deficit, the Wallabies ultimately held on for a memorable victory. De Villiers nevertheless emerged from the contest with significant praise for his individual contribution, with Planet Rugby describing him as the "shining light" of the South African performance.

Inside Paul de Villiers' car

Away from rugby, Paul de Villiers has also attracted attention through his association with GWM. The young Springbok is linked with the brand and drives a Tank 300 SUV, a model known for combining a rugged exterior with a more refined cabin. The partnership was announced on 21 July.

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The Tank 300 is available in South Africa with petrol, hybrid and diesel powertrains. Its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine produces 162 kW and 380 Nm, while the hybrid version develops 255 kW and 648 Nm. The 2.4-litre turbo-diesel delivers 135 kW and 480 Nm. Fuel consumption is rated at 9.5 litres per 100km for the petrol models and 7.7 litres per 100km for the diesel variant.

The SUV also comes with strong off-road credentials. It has 224 mm of ground clearance, can wade through water up to 700 mm deep and features a rear differential lock. Its approach and departure angles are rated at 33 and 34 degrees respectively.

Practicality is another strength, with boot capacity ranging from 400 litres to 1,635 litres when the rear seats are folded. Towing capacity is rated at 2,500 kg for the petrol and hybrid models, while the diesel can tow up to 3,000 kg.

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For a player who has progressed from Junior Bok captain to an established Test player in just a few years, the Tank 300 reflects the growing profile of one of South African rugby's emerging stars.

From Junior Boks to Springbok Test regular

De Villiers' career trajectory has been steep. He first made his name as Junior Springboks captain before establishing himself as a fixture in the senior Test setup. The GWM partnership reflects a broader trend of South African rugby players building commercial profiles alongside their on-field achievements, with De Villiers among the younger forwards to attract significant brand interest.

The Tank 300's combination of rugged utility and a premium cabin positions it firmly in the lifestyle SUV segment, a category that has grown considerably in popularity among South African consumers in recent years.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Raphael Abiola avatar

Raphael Abiola (Sports editor) Raphael Abiola is a Sports Journalist with over nine years of experience. He obtained a B.Tech degree in Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, in 2015. Raphael previously worked as a football editor at Stakegains (2016-2018) and a content editor with Opera News Nigeria (2018-2023). Raphael then worked as an Editor for the Local Desk at Sports Brief (2023-2024). Reach him via email at raphael.abiola@briefly.co.za.