He's had to hang back and wait in the wings. He's occasionally taken centre stage but mostly he's had to pivot to meet the whims of the coaches he's played under.
The 23-year-old argues that he has been in the Bok set-up long enough to take on a multilayered job.
“The coaches have been clear with the plans for me now that I’m covering 10‚ 12 and 15‚” he added. “Playing 12 is not all that different to 10. It’s about being in the front line and chasing kicks‚ but I have played Currie Cup and club rugby at 12‚ so it hasn’t been too much of a change. I feel fortunate to be able to fulfil different roles and I’m really enjoying it.”
Though he is filling the void left by Frans Steyn‚ Willemse is often compared to Brent Russell who came off the bench 15 times in his 23 Tests between 2002 and 2006. Willemse though still has time to convince that he can attach himself to a number on the Bok jersey. “The coaches backing me are really important. Them giving me the freedom and licence to go out. It’s important for me to grab my opportunities and play with everything I have for my country‚” said Willemse.
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