Willemse set to hit the ground running
Springbok utility back ready to make his mark after initially missing selection for World Cup
Damian Willemse took the long route to the Rugby World Cup (RWC). Once he arrived, it did not take long for him to get a start in the Springbok line-up for Tuesday’s Test against Canada.
Coach Rassie Erasmus will be keen to see how sharp Willemse is having only recently returned from a long lay-off due to a knee injury.
Willemse offers Erasmus the X-factor and variety in attack‚ not that that will be the Springboks’ go-to setting once they hit the knock-out stages of the tournament.
They are likely to rely primarily on their forwards to bash it up‚ while their halfbacks and fullbacks will kick endlessly for favourable territory.
They will probably also attack through narrow channels, which means players such as Cheslin Kolbe‚ Makazole Mapimpi and, indeed, Willemse
should he crack a spot in those pressure games are going to have to make the most of limited opportunities.
It is exactly for that reason Erasmus needs a player like Willemse in his armoury when the big men fail to make headway when muscle has to make way for magic.
Willemse‚ who joined the team last week as a replacement for Jesse Kriel‚ will run out at fullback on Tuesday after starting in that position in 2018
against England at Twickenham. A week later he made his last appearance in the green and gold against Wales in Cardiff as a substitute on the wing for Aphiwe Dyantyi.
Dyantyi has fallen by the wayside and it looked as if Willemse was also going to miss the RWC after he did not make the initial squad while still trying to shake off injury.
“The first few days were challenging coming over from England‚” said Willemse about his first week in Japan after his short stint on loan with Saracens in the English Premiership.
“It has been challenging, especially in the warm-ups. The conditions‚ the humidity is something the boys are quite used to by now. We need to adapt in each game.
“But all ready to go now. I’m really excited to play. I’d been out of the mix for quite some time with the injury. I was out for three months. I’ve got that hunger and I want to be back on the pitch again. It was good to get some game time for Sarries.”
Willemse‚ who spent his formative years in the No 10 jersey‚ has too frequently switched between that position and fullback, and some of his appearances for the Boks in 2018 were on the wing.
“I’ve been playing No 10 and fullback for Sarries. In one game I got off the bench and played at 10, and in another one I started at 10 and moved to fullback.
“I’ve got different roles here‚” he said about being with the Boks. “I’m available to play anywhere the coach picks me.”
With the humidity and resultant wet ball still making life difficult for the players‚ Willemse is bracing himself for a test under the high ball against Canada.
Coach Mzwandile Stick “has been taking the boys to do the work. The work the boys have been putting in has paid off.
“I’m looking forward to the aerial battle. It is something we pride ourselves on.”
A solid performance‚ not just under the high ball but a generally assured display‚ will go far to opening up the possibility of Willemse playing a starring role deeper in the tournament.