Former Springboks coach Peter de Villiers is a free man. This after the Malmesbury Regional Court in the Swartland acquitted him of sexual assault charges on Thursday.

Earlier this month, his lawyer filed an application to have the charges dropped.

A woman accused De Villiers of sexual assault in January last year.

The court cited insufficient evidence when it granted the application.

When the allegations of sexual misconduct were brought against him, he served as a member of the GOOD Party in Vredenburg, Western Cape.

A party member filed a complaint, which led to his suspension from the party.