Damian Willemse: From schoolboy maverick on YouTube to Stormers, Springboks stalwart

Not many players encountered the type of scrutiny that Damian Willemse faced coming through the Western Province and Stormers ranks.

YouTube is probably to blame for the hype around Willemse, who went straight from his matric exams at Paul Roos Gimnasium in Stellenbosch to the Stormers’ set-up.

In those YouTube videos, Willemse ran his peers ragged at school. He dominated because he is such a natural athlete - a flyhalf with good size and a lot of skill. The videos showcased his extraordinary running game, with his ability to beat defenders with his speed, power and his ability to step off both feet.

It wasn’t surprising when Willemse made his Stormers debut off the bench in 2017 at the tender age of just 18. A year later in 2018 he would make his Springbok debut against Argentina in Durban, also coming off the bench as an impact player.

In 2019 Willemse missed out on selection for the Rugby World Cup, but ended up traveling to Japan as a replacement for Jesse Kriel and ended up winning his first winners’ medal.

In 2022, Willemse featured prominently in the Stormers’ run to the United Rugby Championship title, before capping off a remarkable six years of professional rugby by starting at fullback in the Springboks 2023 Rugby World Cup final over the All Blacks.

But in between his Stormers debut and his heroics in the 2023 World Cup final, Willemse had to dig deep and work hard to show that he truly is the generational talent that everybody expected him to be.

Sometimes fans and pundits forgot that he was still only 18 or 19 years old when he was asked to guide a struggling Stormers team around the park. He was crucified for every little error, every missed kick or defeat, which could easily have derailed his path to greatness.

But he bounced back after every setback and embraced every challenge with a steely determination to come out on top.

That, just like his unbelievable ability with the ball in hand, can’t be taught. His mentality comes from a place deep within, where only champions find a way to get the job done.

This weekend, a 27-year-old Willemse will play his 100th match for the Stormers when they take on the Dragons in the URC on Saturday at the Cape Town Stadium.

It’s been one hell of a journey, but it’s hardly the end. At his age, Willemse still has two more World Cups left in his legs. It’s hard to imagine, but the best is probably yet to come for this generational talent from Strand.

“It’s going to be a special occasion playing in my 100th game on Saturday,” Willemse said.

“Coming in at 18, I had just finished my matric and three months later, I got the opportunity to play my debut game (against the Kings in Super Rugby). Coach Fleck (Robbie) was the coach in Super Rugby, with coach Paul Feeney.

"They were there in the early stages of my development.

“I will also not forget coach Dave (Dawie Snyman) and Dobbo (John Dobson, director of rugby) trusting me at fullback against the Sharks in a must-win game. All those opportunities made me into the player that I am today.”

Here’s to more magic and World Cup medals for Willemse in future.

@JohnGoliath82