VIDEO: 'Nervous' Gaza ready for Green and Gold again
VIDEO: Damian Willemse is back in the Springbok fold for the first time since the 2023 World Cup Final and admits there are a few butterflies.
However, hearing the national anthem at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday will calm the nerves.
Willemse was included in the Springbok team to face Italy for their first Test match this season.
The Stormers’ fullback missed the entirety of the Springboks’ mid-year series and Rugby Championship in 2024, and only lasted five games when making his comeback in late September, thus ruling him out of the end-of-year tour.
Cameron Hanekom replaced him in the touring squad.
In May this year, he was suspended for three weeks when he was red-carded during a United Rugby Championship clash against Cardiff in Cape Town shortly after recovering from a hand injury.
He received his marching orders for a high tackle on Cardiff left wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb in the 58th minute of the encounter, which the Stormers won 34-24 at the Cape Town Stadium.
The Springboks star, who has missed a large chunk of the Stormers’ URC campaign as well, was cited after the match and found guilty by an independent review panel.
After all the setbacks, he finally gets his turn in the Green and Gold again.
On Tuesday, he faced reporters next to Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, who explained that the No. 15 will also be cover for flyhalf should the 31-year-old Handre Pollard not go the full 80 minutes.
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“Handre has a lot of legs still in him, and we think he can go to the next World Cup.
“And Manie is still there. So we would like to rotate those three as much as we can, and Gaza [Damian Willemse] is covering at ten for us on Saturday with the 6-2 split,” the coach explained.
Willemse admitted that he was nervous about his comeback, saying: “I’m pleased to have another shot. I’m excited but a bit nervous. I haven’t played since the World Cup Final.
“I need to get into the game and do my primary job at fullback.
“I’m nervous, but the guys in the team and the coaching staff give me security,” he added.
“As soon as we sing the national anthem, I’ll start feeling at home. I’ll get my first touch and get into it.
“You are playing for the national team, and that brings added pressure, but that’s part of it, and you look forward to the challenge.
“I am very happy to be healthy and back in the Bok squad. It’s been a difficult two years – injuries and then, lately, the suspension.”
The 39-Test-cap Willemse said what will make things easier is having world-class players around him.
“We have classy, experienced outside backs that will look after me,” he smiled.
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