CAPE TOWN â Damian Willemse may be the one that got away for the Bulls, but that doesnât mean he will get extra attention as the Stormers fullback in tonightâs showdown at Loftus Versfeld.
Bulls coach Jake White made it clear that he wanted to sign the Springbok utility back, and even spoke about a potential backline featuring Willemse at No 15 and Johan Goosen at flyhalf.
âItâs no secret â we are looking at Damian Willemse, who can play cover 10, 12 and 15. Johan Goosen is coming and he can play 10 and 12 and 15. There is nothing that stops us from playing Embrose at nine, Goosen at 10, Cornal at 12, Stedman at 13, Damian Willemse at 15 â itâs a hell of a backline, if you think about it. Kurt-Lee Arendse on the wing, Stravino on the other wing⌠The permutations of picking different sorts of backlines, it just depends on who youâre getting,â the former Bok boss said recently.
But last week Friday, the Stormers announced that the 22-year-old had signed a three-year contract extension to remain in Cape Town. âCommitted to the club⌠Super happy and excited to extend my time in Cape Town. Grateful for my journey so far and I am excited to see what the next chapter holds for this group,â Willemse wrote on Instagram.
âWe will give it everything to ensure we bring joy to the New Stadium and our supporters. Thank you for your continuous support. I appreciate it sincerely #ontothenextâ
On Thursday, ahead of the preparation match between the Bulls and Stormers at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night (7pm kickoff), White said there was no bad blood between him and Willemse.
âEverybodyâs got to make decisions in life, and I respect his decision. Heâs made it clear he likes the lifestyle in Cape Town, and heâs happy there. I wish him all the best â thereâs no hard feelings. He is a good rugby player â thatâs why we were chasing him,â the Bulls director of rugby said.
âBut at the same time, you want people who want to come and play at Loftus for the Bulls. If his heart is not set in it⌠He signed for three years, so I hope that he gets his rugby right, because we all know heâs talented.â
ALSO READ: Jake White: Papier, Goosen, Stravino and Willemse can make a hell of a Bulls backline
One player White has brought to Pretoria, Zak Burger, gets his first chance to stake a claim for the No 9 jersey tonight, with Ivan van Zyl leaving Loftus for Saracens at the end of June.
The former Griquas captain was a stand-out player in Kimberley with his quick thinking and ability to take on the defence, and White wants him to continue in that vein against the Stormers.
âThere is no doubt when he was at Griquas, he was definitely the guy that everyone was watching. Iâm just expecting the same. I expect him to make an impact â Iâve given him free rein and I have told him that is why we signed him. Very quick, heâs got a very good rugby brain,â White said.
âFirst time heâs played behind this sort of pack, and Iâm just expecting him to do what heâs good at. I told him donât worry, just have a go and letâs see what happens. We will do analysis afterwards.â
IOL Sport