LESSONS LEARNT
WILLEMSE: NIGHTMARE START DOESN’T FAZE BOK PIVOT
Initially earmarked for a role at fullback, youngster made his debut as replacement flyhalf.
His huge talent is undeniable, but young Springbok flyhalf Damian Willemse admitted his international debut last weekend in Durban turned out to be a of a bit nightmare.
Moving into flyhalf late in the game, Willemse threw a wild long pass which was intercepted by Pumas centre Matias Moroni for a try under the sticks during the Boks’ 34-21 Rugby Championship win.
“That kind of stuff happens, but it is fixable. I’m just very glad I got a run on Saturday night,” the 20-year-old lamented.
“It’s not a big sweat for me but obviously not the ideal start to my Test career and not what I wanted and neither the team wanted. I’m just glad I got the first cap behind my name.”
While he was initially earmarked to earn his first cap at fullback, Willemse revealed that coach Rassie Erasmus spoke to him about going on at No 10 instead.
“Coach Rassie called me at halftime and he said to me that the game is very tight and that he is planning to rather put me on at No 10, so I got myself ready for that,” the Stormers ace said.
“For me it’s simple, I wake up the next day and the sun is going to shine. I made a couple of mistakes, but I’ll go back to the drawing board and just stay in the moment.”
Getting a chance to redeem himself this weekend in Mendoza, Willemse is not fixated on the No 10 jersey.
“I am a flyhalf and that’s the position I prefer, but for me fullback is a good option as well, so I’m available anywhere where the coach wants to pick me. I’ll give my best for the jersey and the team,” he added.
Willemse said for young guys stepping up it is important to outlearn and outwork opposition, where “old hands” Handre Pollard and Elton Jantjies have assisted him well.
“It’s something that I want to learn as a flyhalf, to dictate matters, so that’s important for me in the squad set-up to learn and throw it in one basket and shake it up a bit and see what we come up with.
“As a young guy coming through the ranks, it’s vital guiding the team from No 10, where you need good quarterbacks with maturity,” he said.
A 28-man squad left for Argentina yesterday for the return Test against the Pumas.