Damian Willemse is excited to be back in Investec Champions Cup action at Cape Town Stadium this week, and help the Stormers go the full distance this season.
Willemse made his first appearance of the domestic season in last week’s coastal derby win, and will start at fullback against the Bristol Bears on Saturday.
In September, the URC champion added a Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry winner’s medal to his World Cup, Rugby Championship and British & Irish Lions series collection.
Now, he is fired up for the Stormers’ bid to make history in rugby’s premier club competition.
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“I’m very excited for the start of the Champions Cup,” Willemse said post-training on Wednesday. “For us as a club, it would mean the world to add a star to our badge.
“We’ve been to the quarter-finals and we’ve played in the round of 16, so we know what the pressure feels like when you go to Europe and play against the big clubs.
“We want to add a star to our badge, but it’s early days. We’ve got a very tough match against Bristol this weekend.”
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The 28-year-old emphasised the importance of a strong start at home: “In the Champions Cup, there are four pool games and we basically have to win at least two. We’re going to Gloucester and Bordeaux, and these are all tough games.
“We showed tremendous form in last year’s Champions Cup; going to Toulon, we lost by one point [in the last 16].
“It’s on all of us to make sure we get our momentum and that everyone is firing when we play these games.”
Willemse made 14 carries and beat nine defenders from 87 metres against the Sharks last week, going the full 80 as the Stormers backs clicked with impressive interplay. His pinpoint pass set up Seabelo Senatla for the first of six tries in the clash.
“We get the reps, we try to do it every day, and then when one like that comes off it looks beautiful,” Willemse said.
“We’re growing as a backline. There’s a lot we have to work on, but it’s something we can look forward to in the future.”
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On the Bristol challenge, Willemse highlighted the English visitors’ all-round threat with ball in hand.
“Their performance in the Premiership has been outstanding, and it’s just the style of play they have.
“Across the park, they’ve got ball-players in Fitz Harding, Harry Randall at nine and Tom Jordan at 10, and then Gabriel Ibitoye and Benhard Janse van Rensburg.
“We’ll definitely have to be on it from a defensive point of view.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Gaza chasing that star on his chest appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Damian Willemse is excited to be back in Investec Champions Cup action at Cape Town Stadium this week, and help the Stormers go the full distance this season.
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