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Rassie: Willemse isn’t being messed around

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Damian Willemse at Bok training

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says Damian Willemse will not be considered as an inside centre option in the lead-up to the 2019 World Cup, writes CRAIG LEWIS in Stellenbosch.

Western Province coach John Dobson sprung something of a surprise on Thursday when he named Willemse to start at 12 in Saturday’s Currie Cup final against the Sharks at Newlands.

Willemse started at fullback in last year’s domestic title-decider, but then primarily focused on settling at flyhalf during the course of the 2018 Super Rugby season.

Although the 20-year-old’s long-term position is seen to be as a flyhalf, Erasmus has often spoken of the plan for Willemse to begin his transition to Test rugby from the fullback berth.

Willemse last started a game at inside centre when playing for the Junior Boks in 2017, although he did shift into that position for around 45 minutes in last weekend’s Currie Cup semi-final, which was only decided in extra time.

Dobson has said that he believes Willemse has the defensive and kicking capabilities to do a good job at inside centre, but there will be understandable concerns that the youngster could be falling into the dangerous territory of a utility back who never quite settles in one position.

The Bok coach addressed the subject when chatting to the media in Stellenbosch on Friday, with the national squad for the end-of-year tour set to be named at 7pm on Saturday.

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‘You can look at it two ways. For one, you can say you’re buggering a guy around and he’s going to be a jack of all trades [and master of none]. Or you can also say that this young guy is being phased into senior rugby in different positions, and the more you do that, the more you get used to how the opposition think in those different positions.

‘Last year Damian played fullback in the Currie Cup final, and now he is playing at 12, so he could have the experience of winning it back-to-back in different positions. I don’t think it’s messing around with his future.’

However, Erasmus insisted that he wouldn’t be tempted to consider Willemse as a centre with the 2019 World Cup less than a year away. Damian de Allende and André Esterhuizen have fulfilled a role at 12 this year, while Handré Pollard has also provided backup there when required.

‘We have great inside centres, and then there are other guys who can double up to cover inside centre, so I won’t consider him [Willemse] from now until the World Cup [as a 12],’ Erasmus commented. ‘However, if you start looking at all the young talent coming through, there could be an unbelievable squad for the World Cup after that. The nice thing is to look down the track at who could have gained different experience and go to the World Cup after 2019.’

Erasmus said there was still capacity for a couple of players to earn inclusion in the end-of-year tour squad if circumstances demand it.

‘If one or two guys have a storming Currie Cup final, which is a high-pressure situation involving two quality teams, they could be considered. There are one or two spots [still up for grabs], not a whole lot, but there are those who know that they will be included and then others who have been told they are on standby and can be selected at the last minute, especially if there is perhaps an injury.’