Is The Wing Wasting Him? The Great Willemse Debate Heats Up As Stormers Face Log-Leaders
The recent deployment of Springbok World Cup winner Damian Willemse on the wing for the Stormers has sparked debate about how best to utilise his talents.
A world-class backline player—most often deployed at fullback or inside centre—Willemse is renowned for his spatial awareness, ability to exploit gaps and creative spark. These qualities can, at times, be diminished when he is positioned on the wing.
With Seabelo Senatla and Suleiman Hartzenberg sidelined, and Dylan Maart returning to Griquas after his loan spell, Willemse has featured on the right wing for the past three matches. His shift to the position was first seen against Edinburgh, where it served as a tactical response to counter the Scots’ aerial threat.
“It is always good to be there for the team in whichever capacity, as long as I can play,” said Willemse of his latest role.
“In the modern game, you need a player who is versatile and adaptable. It helps me learn and improvise in different roles.
“It’s been a good challenge, and I feel it has helped us a lot with our adaptability in terms of our kicking game and how we approach other teams’ kicking strategies,” he added.
Although he admits he prefers to dictate play from the centre of the field, Willemse has embraced the shift, expressing both satisfaction with the challenge and enthusiasm for developing a new skill set.
“I am more comfortable playing at centre. Moving to the wing was a different challenge, but an exciting one nonetheless. I’ve learned a new skill set with the help of the coaches and players. With the way the modern game is evolving, you need to be interchangeable.”
Following last week’s surprise defeat to Connacht, the Stormers will be eager to respond. However, a clash with table-topping Glasgow Warriors presents a formidable test.
The Stormers have struggled against Glasgow, failing to secure a win in their last five encounters. Willemse acknowledged their strengths but emphasised that the focus remains on executing their own game plan and controlling what is within their influence.
“Our record does not reflect how tight those games were. They were very close going into the 70th and 75th minute,” he said.
“With coach Franco there, they are a great side. They are an all-court team—they can take it up front with their forwards, they have a strong set piece and a good kicking game.
“They have great players like Kyle Steyn, Kyle Rowe, Josh McKay and Huw Jones, to name a few. They have threats all over the field and are a very well-coached side.
“We can focus on the opposition all we want, but we can’t overlook what we need to do. If we don’t get our own game right this weekend, we will struggle.”
With discussion around his positioning continuing to dominate the narrative, it will be intriguing to see where the versatile Damian Willemse is named to start.
While the Stormers missed the chance to move ahead of Glasgow in the standings last week, they will have another opportunity to climb to the summit before a gruelling European tour for their final two regular-season fixtures.
