The Internet can’t get enough of Damian Willemse’s footwork against Australia
One thing that has been established in 2022 for South Africa is that Damian Willemse has to start. Where on the field is a problem that Jacques Nienaber is still trying to work out.
It was fly-half last Saturday in Sydney against Australia, as the 24-year-old stepped in for the injured Handre Pollard and produced a man of the match display in the Boks’ 24-8 win. It was not perfect, but he added some attacking impetus to the team, as they grabbed their first bonus point of the Rugby Championship this year.
What Willemse did provide was the pace and footwork of an outside back in the No10 jersey, and that was clearly shown at one point in the opening minutes of the match, where he was able to run the ball into the middle of the field and manage to step no fewer than six Australia tacklers before eventually being dragged down by Marika Koroibete. On this occasion he was actually standing at second receiver (but a loose ball meant he was the first to pick it up), but still took the ball in a much more central position compared to if he was playing at fullback or on the wing and was stepping Wallaby forwards for fun.
In terms of individual attacking ability, Willemse poses more of a threat than Pollard, but that does not necessarily mean he is a better fly-half than the man who guided the Boks to the World Cup. Nonetheless, it is impressive footwork. The clip has been shared online by Jared Wright- take a look:
Damian Willemse’s footwork 🤤#AUSvRSA pic.twitter.com/gxyq5YIwjt
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) September 4, 2022
South Africa’s win, alongside the All Blacks’ win over Argentina earlier on Saturday, means that not only has every side got one win and one loss in the Rugby Championship, but all teams have one win over each other so far. That leaves the Championship even poised going into the final two rounds, with the Boks facing Argentina twice.
