MARK KEOHANE lauds two-time World Cup winner and Vodacom URC champion Damian Willemse as a treasure for the Stormers, Springboks and SA rugby.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane praises Willemse’s evolution from ‘teenage sensation to senior statesman’, after celebrating his 100th Stormers appearance against Dragons at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday night.
According to Keohane, Willemse belongs to an elite minority who began their professional careers at just 18 years old, debuting for the Stormers 301 days after his 18th birthday.
His breakthrough moment came months later with a mesmerising solo try against the Vodacom Bulls at Newlands, announcing his arrival with a confidence that remains his trademark nearly a decade later.
Keohane highlights Willemse’s remarkable achievement list at just 27 years old: Western Province’s 2017 Currie Cup triumph, the Stormers’ inaugural URC title, Rugby Championship success and becoming the youngest player to win two World Cup medals.
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What truly sets Willemse apart, in Keohane’s view, is his rare loyalty. Despite receiving lucrative offers from overseas clubs and the Bulls in 2022, the versatile back signed an unprecedented five-year extension with the Stormers three years – prioritising satisfaction over financial gain.
“Damian Willemse is the kid who dazzled and bamboozled the Bulls in scoring one of the great individual Currie Cup tries at Newlands in 2017. On Saturday, in his 100th Stormers appearance, the kid was very much the senior statesman,” he writes.
“He is among the exclusive club of players who have scored tries and kicked drop goals, conversions and penalties for Western Province, the Stormers and the Springboks.
“His commitment to the game is emphasized through his playing minutes. He gives it all, and he has started in 94 of his 100 matches for the Stormers, averaging 73 minutes a game.
“Willemse is a gift to the game and he is a treasure for the Stormers and South Africa.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
