Jack Of All Trades – Doesn’t Need To Master One

Philasande Sixaba got me thinking during the RugbyBits Pod on Thursday evening as we looked ahead to this weekends action. It was about Damian Willemse and how his role has not changed to what, you would think, he was hoping it would.

Our previous experiences influence our outlook and this is no different as the uproar gets louder and louder for him to take up a position and make it his own. “We don’t want another Brent Russell” type “Frans Steyn is a better 15 than 10, stop moving him around” conversations.

I feel strongly that for his near future, Damian Willemse has to be the first choice utility back in order to stay in Springbok contention. This is as long as we continue to use our 6/2 split as effectively as we do.

Ahead of the 2019 World Cup in Japan, Rassie Erasmus said that he would not take an inexperienced 10 in the squad, Willemse was the next up and coming star but would run out of time if he wanted to go to the World Cup. He instead needed to focus on going as a utility back that would effectively be able to play in 2 or more positions on the international stage.

 

 

Following 2019 the Springboks have had a few other players put their hand up, a few old players regain form and this has pushed Damian Willemse far down the pecking order in challenging for a Bok starting jumper in the 10, 12 or 15 jumper.

Personally I can see the potential but don’t see him as a starting 10 for the Springboks. I think he carries a bit too much to be effective there and tends to go it alone a little more often than he should. This does change with time and experience, especially at the Springboks.

For the above reasons I think 15 would be best suited for now and 12 could work but South Africa have historically not gone for a playmaker 10, playmaker 12 combo. Having said that Damian de Allende really does come close as his distribution and offloading is growing each season.

The problem for Willemse is that Pollard, de Allende and le Roux are cemented in, Jantjies (10) and Fassi (15) are blocking the other positions.

 

He simply has to continue growing in each position in order to hold down the 23 jumper when Nienaber names a 6/2 bench. He is by far head and shoulder the best to be in that position in the current squad with (according to this poll) Johan Goosen leading the charge should Willemse be not available.

Who else would you like to see in the Springbok #23 jersey when they name a 6/2 bench?

— Rugby Bits (@RugbyBits) September 10, 2021

If Nienaber looks at selecting a 5/3 bench then you will feel the 22 and 23 jumper will be a rotation between the likes of Fassi, Kriel, Willemse, Jantjies, Pollard, Nkosi, Kolbe,  Steyn and Steyn (should they not be starting) to name a few.

I think the biggest speed bump in Willemse’s growth has been the rise of, who looks like he could be a 65+ Springbok, Aphelele Onke Okuhle Fassi. Remembering that Warrick Gelant is still in the conversation and Tyrone Green ripping up the Premiership with 2020/21 Champions, Harlequins.

 

One thing I am certain of is that whatever he needs to do/focus on will be communicated via the management channels however, this leaves him in a strange space when it comes to the Stormers and his road to the 10 jumper was hampered this season to the Warrick Gelant injury forcing Willemse there for most of the season.

It is clear his favorite and preferred position is 10 but I am not sure that is his best one right now, like a front ranker it does take some time to master your craft and hopefully we get to see that and enjoy him in the Springbok set up for years to come because, there is no doubt about his talent.