Willemse in call for magic

Rudolph Jacobs

At the start of a new Super Rugby season, former Springbok wing Ashwin Willemse (above) believes it would be in the interests of South African rugby if teams like the Bulls and the Sharks recapture their magic of yesteryear.

While the Lions could remain the best local pick, Willemse said at the Super Rugby launch and the launch of SuperSport’s new magazine show FirstFifteen this week, that the realities of what the Bulls and the Sharks have faced must be considered.

“The rate of retirement and players moving overseas are a reality and the Bulls were hurt by an exodus of players and one could see that in recent seasons,” said Willemse.

“I imagine (coach) Nollis Marais would have worked with a core group of players that he had, with Handre Pollard coming back in a leading capacity.”

Willemse said the Sharks have gone through their own transition not only through the players, but also the coaching department.

Willemse, while punting the Cheetahs as possible dark horses, said unnecessary pressure was being put on the Lions brand which is “something already there to admire”.

“While we have recognised that they lost the the final last year, if you had asked me at the beginning of last year whether they would go that far, I most probably would have said no,” he said.

“They managed to get that far but now we want to burden them with expectations by saying can you replicate that or even go one better?

“Landing second place in Super Rugby is next best to winning it,” he said.