Top URC duel between the Cape Province and Glasgow, but managing the case of Damian Willemse, so talented that he plays everywhere.
There will be a top match in England and a top match in the URC between the Stormers and Glasgow. The Cape players could, with a victory, move to the top three rounds before the end and recover from their surprising defeat last week at home against Connacht (33-24). But in South Africa, the hottest debate concerns Damian Willemse, whom his coach John Dobson has been playing on the wing for three games.
The double world champion has played in all backline positions in his career. He played in the 2023 World Cup final at fullback, but has also been seen at fly-half and inside center wearing both the national team and Stormers jerseys. Dobson gave him the number 14 due to injuries to Seabelo Senatla and Suleiman Hartzenberg, while Dylan Maart returned to the Griquas at the end of his loan.
Winger, a waste?
The experiment started against Edinburgh and his coach believed Willemse would bring his expertise in aerial duels. And it’s true, he was very good at it and was kept on the wing for the following two games. But many observers are surprised, for example, Schaalk Burger. The former 2007 World Cup-winning flanker believes that using Willemse is a “waste”: “We have quality players but it’s clear that we have problems on the wing. We have no one left. But I really think we should play Damian Willemse at fullback or inside center because he needs to be as involved as possible in the game. He did decent things on the wing but everyone wants their best and most talented players to touch the ball as much as possible, and that comes with his positioning at fullback or center.”
Burger’s comments came after the defeat against Connacht, which seemed to vindicate him. In fact, Dobson admitted that Willemse couldn’t continue to play in that position and his assistant Dawie Snyman nodded, suggesting that Senatla and Harzenberg could return quickly. There was a sense of nervousness among the Stormers, already eliminated by Toulon in the Champions Cup, and where another superior talent, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, is not having the best time of his life at fly-half.
