Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus requested to have Damian Willemse play at fullback in Western Province’s Currie Cup match against Griquas on Saturday.

With Bok fullback Willie le Roux unavailable for the two home Tests against the Wallabies and All Blacks, Willemse could get a chance to start at least one of them.

Province coach John Dobson has therefore agreed to put the returning Willemse in the No 15 jersey in place of the in-form Dillyn Lleyds, who drops to the bench.

‘We received a very courteous request,’ Dobson said at the team announcement on Thursday. ‘Last year we played Damian at fullback at times and he did very well there in the Currie Cup final.’

Dobson said Willemse shouldn’t need too much time to adapt to the position, with fullbacks often popping up in the flyhalf channel on attack.

Photo: @Springboks/Twitter