Springbok star's November tour 'at risk' confirms club

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus faces an anxious wait over the fitness of Damian Willemse, after the Stormers star suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday’s 31–16 win over Benetton in Treviso.

Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson confirmed post-match that Willemse had picked up the injury but chose to remain on the field.

“Damian has probably got a pulled hamstring,” Dobson said. “He got moved to the wing, which I thought was very clever from Ruhan [Nel], so that he didn’t have to defend too much. It just sums up the character.

“It has probably put some of his tour at risk. He didn’t want to come off and kept playing for the Stormers, which was very special.”

Willemse’s setback comes less than a week before South Africa’s five-match tour begins, starting with their clash against Japan in Tokyo on November 1. The 26-year-old has been a mainstay in Erasmus’s squad, capable of covering fullback, fly-half and centre.

Meanwhile, Dobson was full of praise for his side after completing their European tour unbeaten, following wins over the Ospreys, Glasgow Warriors and Benetton.

“It’s a very special win for us. We never won here [in Treviso] and it was a very tough game,” he said. “They rolled out their internationally laden team. It was incredibly tough in the first half. It was different tactics from what we’ve faced in the first four rounds.”

The Stormers boss highlighted the contributions of his bench as key to the clean sweep.

“To go on a tour unbeaten for a team that travels badly is a very special achievement by a special group,” Dobson added. “The impact from the bench was amazing. Zach [Porthen], Adre [Smith], Ruben [van Heerden] and Ruan [Ackermann] – that has been the secret in all the games. Whoever has been on the bench, there are big forwards coming on that have made a big difference.

“Cobus Reinach is obviously a special player. I was thrilled with Jurie Matthee as the game driver. We were thinking about life without Manie [Libbok] and Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu], and then we’ve got a very competent and talented young player who can drive a team.”