Willemse: 'We want to add a star to our badge'
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Stormers are determined to take their Investec Champions Cup campaign a step further this season, with Springbok fullback Damian Willemse making it clear that the Cape side are targeting a place beyond the quarterfinals.
Speaking to reporters ahead of their opening clash against Bristol Bears this Saturday, Willemse outlined the team’ ambitions as they prepare to take on some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Willemse has enjoyed considerable success with the Springboks, winning back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles (2019 and 2023) and Rugby Championship and, most recently, the Greatest Rivalry series against All Blacks. He has also lifted the United Rugby Championship trophy with the Stormers.
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However, the Champions Cup remains an elusive prize for the star and the Cape side, who are eager to make their mark on Europe’s premier club competition.
Since joining the tournament in the 2022/23 season, the Stormers have yet to progress beyond the quarterfinals.
They reached the last eight in their debut campaign, while their European journey last season ended in a narrow 27-28 defeat to Toulon in the Round of 16.
Now, Willemse believes the squad has the opportunity to build on those experiences and make a deeper run in the competition.
“In the Champions Cup, there are four games and we have to basically win at least a minimum of two games,” Willemse told reporters at the DHL Stadium.
“We’re going to Gloucester, we’re going to Bordeaux, and these are all tough games. We’re playing against the best clubs in Europe.
“Obviously, for us as a club, we’ve only been to the quarterfinals. We’ve lost in the round of 16, I think, twice, so we want to take it a step further and obviously go the full length this year.
“We showed tremendous form last year in the Champions Cup. And going to Toulon, we lost by one point. So we feel very strongly about this competition.
“We, as a club, have made a decision that we obviously want to go further than the quarterfinal.”
For the first time, the Stormers will begin their Champions Cup campaign in Cape Town, giving them the advantage of playing in front of their home supporters.
The Cape side previously faced Toulon in their opening match in Gqeberha.
They will also have several Springboks at their disposal as they prepare for a demanding run of fixtures.
After Saturday’s encounter against Bristol, the Stormers will travel to face Union Bordeaux Bègles and Gloucester before returning home to take on Racing 92.
“We’ve got great fixtures this year, so we’re looking forward to that,” Willemse said.
As one of the senior members of the squad, Willemse understands the significance of the challenge facing the Stormers and the opportunity to help the club reach new heights.
For him, success in the competition would mean more than simply progressing to the latter stages.
“On a personal level, I think 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 for us to add a star to our badge.
“We’ve gone to the quarterfinals, we’ve played in the round of 16, so we kind of know how and what the pressure and everything feels like when you go to Europe and you play the big, mega clubs in Europe, like Bordeaux, Toulon or Leinster.
“So, yeah, we really want to add a star, but obviously, it’s the early days.
“We’ve got a very tough match against Bristol this weekend.”
Bristol bring plenty of firepower
The Stormers will have little room for error against a Bristol side that Willemse expects to pose a significant threat.
The English Premiership outfit have impressed with their attacking approach, while their backline boasts several dangerous players capable of punishing opposition mistakes.
“We’re obviously playing a very strong side in Bristol.
“Their performance in the Prem has been outstanding.
“Just the style of play that they have, they’re a really dangerous side. Coach Pat Lam will definitely bring his boys up to speed with the game this weekend.”
Willemse also highlighted Bristol’s attacking quality, warning that the Stormers would need to be at their best to contain the visitors.
“There’s a lot of firepower in the backline. Louis Rees-Zammit, Gabriel Ibitoye, Tom Jordan is a massive player. Bernhard Janse van Rensburg is there. They’ve got the full package team.
“They’re an outstanding team. They can move the ball, they can kick, they can run. So, yeah, it’s going to be a massive clash on Saturday.”
With home-ground advantage and a clear ambition to make a deeper run in Europe, the Stormers will look to lay down an early marker against Bristol as they begin their quest for a maiden Champions Cup title.
