So what did we learn from this weekend’s Super Rugby? One thing I hope South African rugby learnt is not to protect exciting teens like Damian Willemse and Curwin Bosch - just let them play!
Willemse, a schoolboy star and flyhalf who joined the Stormers during the pre-season for their Super Rugby campaign, made his first appearance for the Stormers during their 41-10 thrashing of the Kings in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. Willemse was only on for about five minutes, but anyone who watched that game would have seen that this kid has unbelievable talent. Talent that shouldn’t be sheltered because of caution.
Now I know that Stormers coach Robbie Fleck has said that it was his duty to “protect” Willemse.
I understand Fleck’s concern of throwing the 18-year-old into the deep waters of a ruthless Super Rugby competition too quickly. The Stormers boss might be scared that last year’s Craven Week Player of the Year will be put under too much pressure if he makes that step-up now.
But that can happen to anyone, irrespective of age or experience. And allowing the young Willemse to do his thing in the senior ranks is a chance Fleck should be brave enough to take.
And then there’s Bosch. A 19-year-old prodigy who was the biggest contributor to the Sharks’ massive 37-14 win over the Waratahs in Durban on Saturday.
Bosch is another youngster who has seemingly been shielded by coaches by having him play off the bench, but after being so instrumental in the Sharks’ victory at the weekend, it’s time to set him free.
Let’s face it - if Pat Lambie didn’t leave the field six minutes into the game with a groin injury, Bosch probably would have made a brief appearance. And that brilliance he displayed at Kings Park wouldn’t have been seen, because he wouldn’t have had an opportunity to show just what he could do.
And he was simply outstanding. He single-handedly amassed 27 points for the Durbanites as he showed nerves of steel to nail all eight of his kicks at goal (two conversions and six penalties), while he also scored a try after pouncing on a fumbled pass and darting through to score.
Hopefully that performance has opened the eyes of Robert du Preez and his support staff. How could it not?
Now an opportunity like that is exactly what Willemse needs. But it shouldn’t be because of injury to another player. It should be an opportunity given to him because of what he’s shown he can do.
Against the Kings, Willemse stepped his way past three or four defenders at close quarters, and he also gave a superb off-the-ground offload that helped set up fellow debutant Justin Phillips’ try.
And that, that right there, is the kind of player the Stormers need on their matchday roster.
Fleck has said many times that he was all about giving youngsters a chance. That the Stormers have made great strides in terms of giving younger guys some exposure. That they would like to build more depth while taking their game to the next level.
There’s no better time than the present to do so. And giving a player like Willemse a decent shot is a great start.
I mean, Fleck said it himself. After the game, the Stormers coach said “Damian was on for five minutes and had two touches of the ball and he created magic.”
Now wouldn’t it be fantastic to see magic like that every week? To see him step his way out of trouble and keep the opposition guessing. To see him boost the Stormers’ attack?
It might be tough to get away with some of the things he so constantly tries (if you saw him at junior level you’d know) against certain competition. It might not always work.
But at the very least, if Fleck decides to give Willemse a proper go, Stormers fans can expect a strong forecast of excitement whenever he gets to put on the Stormers jersey. And of course the same applies in the City of Durban.
