Sport

Cut the Bull: Willemse ends speculation with new Stormers contract

Voice Reporter|Published

STAYING PUT: Damian Willemse

Damian Willemse on Friday put an end to months of speculation about his future by signing a new three-year deal with Western Province and the Stormers.

The 22-year-old Springbok from Strand was linked with a move to the Bulls for a while before finally extending his stay in the Mother City.

Such was the interest in the flyalf-cum-fullback from the Loftus camp that Bulls head coach Jake White last week was quoted as saying: “It’s no secret we’re looking at Damian. He’s played 10, 12 and 15 at Super Rugby level and for the Springboks.”

White even picked Willemse at fullback in his fantasy Bulls team.

But the talented playmaker decided to stay in Cape Town, with Stormers and Western Province head coach John Dobson saying: “Damian is the kind of player that every coach would love to work with, he has natural ability in abundance and works incredibly hard.

WON THE WAR: WP’s John Dobson

“We are all looking forward to working with him to keep improving so that he is able to reach his considerable potential and help us play the brand of eye-catching rugby that our fans want to see.”

WP chairman Ebrahim Rasool adds: “Damian is a proud product of our structures in the greatest rugby talent pool in the world and to have him sign on for the next three years is very exciting.

MISSED OUT: Bulls’ Jake White

“Retaining a player like Damian who is in such demand shows how serious we are about our vision for the future and we are looking forward to confirming more high-profile players who have decided to join us on this journey in the coming weeks.”

Willemse has not featured in the preparation series yet, with the Stormers’ next game being against the Bulls at Loftus on Friday.

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