Damian Willemse’s three game ban, reduced to two should he attend tackle school, has thrown the Stormers’ title hopes in the air.
Damian Willemse has received a ban that could see him out of action for the rest of the Stormers URC campaign, and possibly miss a game for the Springboks as well.
The 27-year-old utility back was given a red card for a high hit against Cardiff’s Gabriel Hamer-Webb in their match at Cape Town Stadium last weekend.
Willemse pleaded guilty to the foul play, and after a few suspense-filled days, the verdict was given. He received a six-match ban that was reduced by half, with another match removed if Willemse attends tackle school.
Assuming he attends tackle school – and most players do – Willemse cuts the ban down to two games.
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Stormers lose their ‘treasure’
He will miss the Stormers’ United Rugby Championship quarter-final against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium next week Friday. Should the Stormers win that game, Willemse will miss the semi-final against the winner of the game between Leinster and Scarlets, and be back in time for the final of the tournament.
Should the Stormers not progress to the semi-final, Willemse will still be unavailable for the Springboks’ game against the Barbarians in Cape Town on 8 June.
While waiting to hear how long the ban would last, Stormers director of rugby John Dobson said it was a “disaster” for the team and would sorely affect their campaign for the title. The coach said they would consider an appeal depending on the outcome.
“The implications, I’m sure, are going to be poor for us. I’ve got no doubt. We can’t appeal until there is a decision. I don’t see them overturning that. It’s a disaster for us,” he said.
Willemse the reason Moerat wanted to be a Springbok
The Springbok star made his 100th cap for the Stormers this month. In doing so, he was hailed by teammates and coaches as not just one of the best players in the side, but one of the best Western Province has ever produced and one of the best in the world.
“We know what we’ve got in Damian Willemse, I’m not sure the world does,” Dobson said at the time. “This is a generational player… Other than the flash and that, he’s the most professional guy, the guy doing the most time in the huddle.”
Dobson called Willemse “just a treasure” when describing his professionalism and qualities as a person off the field.
Stormers captain Salmaan Moerat said Willemse was “the reason I wanted to be a Springbok and work harder”.
“He has really changed the perspective around coloured rugby players. He will be one of the greatest coloured rugby players, if not one of the greatest rugby players to have played the game.”
