Damian Willemse is gearing up to set the field on fire as he teams up with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Canan Moodie in the Springboks' refreshed backline for their upcoming clash against the All Blacks in Wellington. With regular inside centre Damian de Allende taking a breather this weekend, Willemse finds himself in the spotlight, taking on a challenging yet thrilling new role.
“It’s a new position for me. I haven’t started there yet but I have played a couple of Test matches at inside centre later in the game,” Willemse shared. Stepping into the shoes of 'Doogz' at No 12, he's buzzing with anticipation, especially about the synergy with his teammates. "It’s a new role, stepping into Doogz’s responsibilities in the No 12 jersey, but it’s something I’m really excited about – especially linking with Sacha and Moodie and the back three outside me.”
This week, Willemse and Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the dynamic flyhalf, have been meticulously honing their partnership.
“I’m very excited to play with Sacha. We’ve done a lot of work this week to make sure we’re aligned going into this Test – what we can expect from each other and how we want to play the game.”
On the defensive front, Willemse highlighted the critical need for crystal-clear communication with Moodie, his fellow centre. “We’re just working on getting that defensive pairing straight,” he pointed out. The focus is on “small, micro-communications”, crucial for countering the All Blacks' aggressive playstyle, evidenced in the early minutes of last week's game.
Despite their youthful vibe, the Boks' backline isn't short on experience. Between Willemse, veteran scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, and the electric Cheslin Kolbe, there’s a hefty stash of over 40 caps. Meanwhile, young guns Moodie and fullback Aphelele Fassi are quickly approaching the 20-cap mark, each bringing fresh energy and ambition to the squad.
With this blend of seasoned pros and vibrant new talent, the Springboks are looking not just to match, but to outmaneuver the All Blacks at their own game, especially at the lineout, an area where New Zealand typically excels. The stage is set for what promises to be a riveting rematch in Wellington.
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Damian Willemse is gearing up to set the field on fire as he teams up with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Canan Moodie in the Springboks' refreshed backline for their upcoming clash against the All Blacks in Wellington. With regular inside centre Damian de Allende taking a breather this weekend, Willemse finds himself in the spotlight, taking on a challenging yet thrilling new role.
“It’s a new position for me. I haven’t started there yet but I have played a couple of Test matches at inside centre later in the game,” Willemse shared. Stepping into the shoes of 'Doogz' at No 12, he's buzzing with anticipation, especially about the synergy with his teammates. "It’s a new role, stepping into Doogz’s responsibilities in the No 12 jersey, but it’s something I’m really excited about – especially linking with Sacha and Moodie and the back three outside me.”
This week, Willemse and Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the dynamic flyhalf, have been meticulously honing their partnership.
“I’m very excited to play with Sacha. We’ve done a lot of work this week to make sure we’re aligned going into this Test – what we can expect from each other and how we want to play the game.”
On the defensive front, Willemse highlighted the critical need for crystal-clear communication with Moodie, his fellow centre. “We’re just working on getting that defensive pairing straight,” he pointed out. The focus is on “small, micro-communications”, crucial for countering the All Blacks' aggressive playstyle, evidenced in the early minutes of last week's game.
Despite their youthful vibe, the Boks' backline isn't short on experience. Between Willemse, veteran scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, and the electric Cheslin Kolbe, there’s a hefty stash of over 40 caps. Meanwhile, young guns Moodie and fullback Aphelele Fassi are quickly approaching the 20-cap mark, each bringing fresh energy and ambition to the squad.
With this blend of seasoned pros and vibrant new talent, the Springboks are looking not just to match, but to outmaneuver the All Blacks at their own game, especially at the lineout, an area where New Zealand typically excels. The stage is set for what promises to be a riveting rematch in Wellington.