'It’s always on the cards': Bok RWC winner would 'love' 7s switch for Olympics
The game of sevens could see another superstar from 15s make the switch to the circuit to play in the 2024 Olympics, with double World Cup winner Damian Willemse expressing his desire to represent South Africa Sevens in Paris next summer.
Sevens has already seen France captain Antoine Dupont and former Australia captain Michael Hooper make the switch, and with the world wondering whether any more players will follow their lead, Willemse recently said that he would “love” to make the move to play for the Blitzboks.
Speaking to Hanyani Shimange, Jean de Villiers and Bryan Habana on RugbyPass’ ‘Boks Office’ during the HSBC SVNS Cape Town over the weekend (where Willemse carried the Webb Ellis Cup out to the Cape Town Stadium), the 25-year-old, who played sevens at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2015, said that every kid dreams of competing at the World Cup and the Olympics. He did, however, highlight the commitment that a switch would require, and how it is effectively a “different sport”. He left the door open for a move nevertheless.
“I mean, it’s always on the cards,” the fullback said. “I would love to obviously play in the Olympics. You also need training, as Bryan said, you need to spend some time on the field, training with the guys. This is a different sport, what these guys are doing, it’s crazy, it’s epic. And, yeah, I think it’s definitely something that every rugby player and kid dreams of, competing at the World Cup or the Olympics, and obviously to get a medal would be the cherry on the cake.”
De Villiers gave his view on this potential move, saying Willemse has the tools to be a success in the seven-player format of the game.
“If you take his skillset, what he’s displayed in the 15s game,” de Villiers, a former South Africa Sevens player, said. “Having played fly-half, centre, fullback, with ball in hand exceptional but defensively solid as well. And that’s the thing about sevens rugby, it’s one-on-one. You need to make your tackles one-on-one and you need to have the ability to beat the opposition one-on-one, but then also rucking. Rucking is so important. But the way this guy steps, his ability to beat players one-on-one is just exceptional, but then defensively so solid.”
Comments on RugbyPass
End to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
7 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to comments