South African lock extends Montpellier stay

"The club has just begun something new and I want to be part of this journey," he told Montpellier's website on Wednesday.

Willemse, who arrived at the club from Grenoble in 2012, helped Montpellier clinch last season's European Challenge Cup under coach and compatriot Jake White.

White is making way for Scotland's current New Zealand coach Vern Cotter next season.

Montpellier are placed third in the Top 14 table led by Cotter's former club Clermont.

Agence France-Presse