Where is Willemse?

I did not see Willemse in the run on side on Saturday, neither have I seen his name pop up in the Monday shadow team that were going through their team drills. It is predicted that I would be pretty much the same time minor some of the newbies, making way for the like of Wilco Louw etc.

However, with Fassi becoming more and more of a feature. The only question I have is where is Willemse in all of this?

It looks like SFM has now become the first choice 10, Pollard to ride the pine and for Manie to be in the squad as back up. He did get all of his kicks on Saturday in very difficult conditions and he has some really hard ones too from the corner. Is he back to his best and can be trusted with kicks again?

With Pollard potentially on the bench, AE now playing a hybrid role and only one scrummy. If we were to believe the hype then in theory the 7 / 2 split still exist only for AE to now be covering the flank spot as well as the centres.

So no bench spot for Willemse and why would you have both him and Pollard on the bench? Kolbe, Arendse can cover Full Back and Pollard can cover 12. Looks like Dud the tractor is still holding up the midfield and if you were to believe the Journo's he is the best 12 in the world.

I still think Fassi should shift to the wing with Willemse at 15. I don't think he is a test 12, especially when we have AE, Hooker and Dud still holding down that spot.

But my real guess is that Rassie will put the players on Rotation this season given we have something like 16 games. So we may see a mix and match scenario.

Not that I'm a fan of using 50 players, it means 20 caps thrown away on the useless Masters and players like Bongi that should be faved off into the sun set.

Willemse is serving a suspension after being carded a few weeks ago

He is available this weekend

Definitely no to moving Fassi to wing and playing Willemse at 15

Fassi on the wing ahead of who - Arendse or Kolbe - no way in hell

We need to be looking to the future at 12 given DA and AE are in their 30’s and Willemse is the answer all day long

His creativity and physicality would be perfect at 12. Would be exciting for the Boks with him at 12 - less of the direct route, but at 100kg the direct route when required

Surely the Boks have the craziest wing options of any team out there.

Arendse, Fassi and Kolbe would all walk straight into any team, including the ABs and France.

...and I just love the sense of dread that must fill the hearts of all in sundry when they see Sacha and realise that he'll be around for another 12 years in the Boks.

If AE is the new hybrid guy, then I say drop DDA as soon as possible and get Willemse to 12 and make him Captain. He's an absolute superstar and filled with all the fight in the world.

LOVE IT!

Add Moodie as wing / 13 candidate to strike further fear into sides - he is pretty special as well

Then we have some really handy youngsters coming through in Hooker, Jurenzo Julius, Henco v Wyk, David Kriel and Jordan Hendrikse

Sacha is going to revolutionise how the Boks play - he has the skill set and head to go down as one of the best players ever - he is that much of a gem

Then Plum, don't forget Moodie, who is under 23, Kolbe is now pushing 31 but still very impressive and could be around for another 4 years if he has the same longevity as Aplon.

I heard Rassie say out of his own mouth that they are looking at Hooker as a 13.

So maybe there is a role for Willemse at 12. I know we will disagree on this one whether he is a 10, 12 or 15. I like him at 15 but Fassi is our version of Israel Folua, same build, speed and Ariel Ability but just lack that consistent attack we some from Israel.

I do wish Rassie would put out an under 25 team will all of the youngsters.

Add Moodie as wing / 13 candidate to strike further fear into sides - he is pretty special as well

Thank you kindly that's where I'd have him. Now pick your 12.

Hooker is my 12. But I think he needs another couple of seasons to settle in. So he will probably get a couple of games this year for the boks.

I know we as bok fans has tendency to chase the next youngster and we want to see them play for the boks.

Willemse had a steady introduction and he has now already gone past 50 caps. So I believe we need to the same.

My only concern is that we have 18 players over 30 and at least 10 over 33. Rassie doesn't have much time left to get them up to speed. Now is the time for him to get these guys some caps as next year will be his final year to really bed the team in for the World Cup, but he also has to go to New Zealand this year and at least win one game. I expect the All Blacks want to win both games.

Then next year we will have a proper tour from them to SA which will be amazing

Willemse at 12 is an easy selection for me and I’d have Jurenzo Julius at 13 - I rate him that highly

Fassi at 15, Moodie and Arendse on the wing, Sacha 10, Williams 9

With vd Bergh, Hooker, Henco v Wyk, David Kriel, Green, Horn, Edwil and Jordan Hendrikse as back ups

Here are some rather shocking stats about Willemse. He has already played in 39 tests. But his last test for the Boks was the WC final in 2023. And he has never been picked at center for the Boks even against fish and chips sides.

That basically says Lucky doesn’t see him as a center and has decided that Fassi is his preferred 15. The emergence of Sacha puts Willemse in limbo….not first or second choice anywhere, with lots of test experience but no real accomplishments and no settled position.

As Willie rides off into the sunset fullback still looks like his best bet….where his open field stepping and decent boot might shine. Hooker and Moodie should take heed of the Willemse case. All the shifting around may look sexy but it can also leave you high and dry.

My guess is that Willemse will come into consideration at 12 once DA and AE are done which is unfortunate

He should be looking at him at 12 now

I don't Willemse and Sasha played that great together. They are both very similar players and often confused the the outside backs. Willemse plays purely of instinct and he always wants to step players. It is his default when he sees a bit of space, he wants to go. It helped at age group and I remember his debut against the bulls. He was dancing through the entire team to score a try.

However, where I have to credit Libbok, his game management has improved so much and he knows how to get his backing and team to play through phases and direct play. I just don't see Willemse having that type of software. So for me 12 is not suited for him

Disagree he was good at 12 in his last game for the Stormers - he definitely has the software to play 12

What he needs is an extended run at 12 both at provincial and test level as playing him in a different position each week does him a disservice