I’m happy to play anywhere
DAMIAN Willemse, pictured, doesn’t care whether he plays at flyhalf or fullback, as long as he can get a few touches to spark some magic.
The young Springbok has mostly played at No 10, but he had a few runs in the 15 jumper during Western Province’s Currie Cup-winning campaign last year and it’s also at fullback (off the bench) that Bok coach Rassie Erasmus has brought him into the Test arena.
And while Willemse’s “anywhere” attitude certainly won’t make this week’s selections any harder for Province chief John Dobson, the men that he has available to fill those No 10 and 15 spots certainly will.
WP will host the BlueBulls at Loftus in the second semi-final on Saturday after drowning them 34-7 in the wet at Loftus.
In Willemse’s absence, Josh Stander has pulled the strings at flyhalf for WP and it’s a task he has taken to very well. And given that it’s Stander who started at No 10 as WP racked up six bonuspoint wins, it should perhaps, on paper, make it a relatively easy choice. But the quality that is Willemse also makes the 20-year-old the automatic choice.
Ahead of their trip to Pretoria last week, a calf niggle pulled Dillyn Leyds out the last league game, which saw Willemse – who was initially named at No 10 – move to 15 and Stander come in at flyhalf.
And during the team announcement, when asked if he was tempted to keep Stander at No 10, Dobson said that Willemse is one of the best flyhalves in South Africa and that he has to be used when available.
And given the season Leyds has had, he would of course be the natural choice at No 15, if he’s fit.
“I don’t really mind where I am playing at the moment, whether it’s at (No) 10 or at 15,” Willemse said.
“I think Josh is playing very well, so I must give credit to him. There is a plan going forward and I am prepared to play in both positions. It is very important that I can play more than one position as a backline player. We know how quickly injuries happen these days.
“There is a big difference between playing flyhalf and fullback. What I like about flyhalf is controlling the game. There is a huge responsibility on the flyhalf’s shoulders to control the game and make sure his team is going forward.
“What I enjoy about fullback is playing with a bit more freedom as well as scanning and making decisions from the back. Both of them are challenging, especially being under the high ball at fullback.”
Willemse also said that Dobson had a chat with him regarding their plan, and added that he is given the freedom to play his natural game. 2011 final, when John Mitchell was the coach, Joshua Strauss the captain and some of his team-mates included Jaco Taute, Wikus van Heerden, Franco van der Merwe, Pat Cilliers, CJ van der Linde and on the bench, among others, Warren Whiteley and Butch James.
“It’s so nice playing Currie Cuprugby again,” said the 28-year-old flyhalf. “It’s exciting for me, and it’s definitely given me some extra energy at this time of the season. I’ve always cherished the Currie Cup and I feel it should be given more attention in South African rugby.”
Having made a return to the competition last week in Nelspruit, Jantjies is likely to be joined by fellow Bok stars Whiteley, Aphiwe Dyantyi and Franco Mostert in the Lions team that will travel to Durban, with only hooker Malcolm Marx a doubt for the outing.
And while the Sharks won comfortably against the Lions in the roundrobin stages and will be the favourites on Saturday, Jantjies said the Lions would look to just play their normal game.
“The intensity levels will definitely be up on Saturday; it’s playoff rugby. The secret will be to stay patient and use one’s opportunities. The fundamentals don’t change, whether it’s knockoutrugby or a league game, Currie Cup or Super Rugby ... you need to know when to run, pass and kick. You need to win your set-pieces and make sure you’re competitive at the breakdown.
“But, having said that our value system will stay the same ... the Lions always want to score tries and play a nice brand of rugby and play for each other. We’re not going to move away from that.”
Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen will name his lineup tomorrow.