Five members of the Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok squad in France – Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe and Damian Willemse – were nominated for the coveted SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year Award for 2023, with Etzebeth up to defend the title he won last season.
Springbok flyhalf Damian Willemse is pleased with his overall contribution to helping the Springboks secure their first win over England in eight years.
Trevor Nyakane and Jesse Kriel are both confident that there is more than enough depth for the Springboks to have a successful Rugby Championship campaign without Handre Pollard or Lukhanyo Am.
Jacques Nienaber has backed Damian Willemse to shine at flyhalf for the Springboks in the clash with the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday.
Damian Willemse slotted a penalty after the hooter to see the Springboks come from a 15-point half-time deficit and beat Wales in the Test series opener in Pretoria on Saturday.
Damian Willemse will be utilised primarily at centre or fullback for the rest of the season as the Stormers look to give the talented back an opportunity to settle into a position.
Coach John Dobson says Damian Willemse will suit the wet and windy conditions the Stormers are expecting when they face Connacht in a Vodacom United Rugby Championship match in Galway on Saturday.
Damian Willemse, Marvin Orie and Salmaan Moerat are back in training with the Stormers and are all expected to be involved in Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship match against Zebre in Cape Town.
Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids has confirmed that Damian Willemse is “doubtful” for Saturday’s Test against Scotland, but Sbu Nkosi is available for selection after joining the squad this past Sunday.
The Springboks face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday in the opening match of their end-of-year tour. Here's a look at three aspects of what promises to be an intriguing encounter.