Willemse Outlines Stormers’ Goal To Add Star To Badge Ahead Of Bristol Bears Clash
Damian Willemse has set his sights on helping the DHL Stormers achieve their ambition of adding a star to their jersey as they prepare to launch their Investec Champions Cup campaign against Bristol Bears on Saturday.
The Springbok utility back has enjoyed considerable success in his career, but European club rugby’s premier competition remains an elusive prize. Having reached the quarter-finals and experienced the demands of facing some of Europe’s leading clubs, Willemse is eager to help the Stormers take the next step.
“On a personal level, I firstly just want to help the team get to that stage and then, obviously, for us as a club, it would mean the world to add a star to our badge,” Willemse said.
“We feel very strongly about this competition. We’ve gone to the quarter-finals, we’ve played in the Round of 16, so we know what the pressure feels like when you go to Europe and play the mega clubs in Europe like Bordeaux, Toulon or Leinster.
“We really want to add a star to our jersey, but obviously it’s still early days and we’ve got a very tough match against Bristol this weekend.”
The Stormers begin their European campaign against a Bristol side that has impressed in the English Premiership, with Willemse expecting a formidable challenge on Saturday.
Bristol’s attacking versatility and ability to threaten in different ways have caught his attention, while their physicality at the set-piece will also demand the Stormers’ full attention.
“They’re an outstanding team and they can move the ball, they can kick, they can run, so it’s going to be a massive clash on Saturday,” he added.
Willemse said the Stormers were excited about the start of the competition after a productive week of preparation but stressed that Bristol’s recent performances highlighted the scale of the challenge ahead.
Although Bristol suffered a defeat against Saracens last weekend, they have also recorded convincing victories over Sale Sharks and Northampton Saints, underlining the quality within their squad.
“They’re one of the best teams in the Prem. They lost against Saracens last week, but they beat Sale comfortably and they beat Northampton as well. So, this is a really strong side,” Willemse said.
The Stormers will also need to contain Bristol’s effectiveness from mauls, with the English club having scored more tries from that source than any other team in the Premiership.
“We know what they can do on attack. We’ll definitely have to be on it from a defensive point of view because all the teams in the Prem this year have looked dangerous,” Willemse explained.
“We’re looking forward to a tough battle on Saturday.”
For the Stormers, the opening fixture presents an early opportunity to make a statement in a competition they are determined to win. However, Willemse knows that their European ambitions will depend on first overcoming a dangerous Bristol side before they can turn their attention to the tournament’s later stages.
