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Why it's time for the Springboks to rethink Damian Willemse's role
One of the big debates surrounding the Springboks squad in recent seasons has been the coaching team’s decision to use Damian Willemse in the fly-half role. After Manie Libbok produced a solid performance in South Africa’s win over Australia, Willemse got the pivotal role in the clash against the All Blacks in Auckland.
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Willemse failed to stamp his authority on the game, especially in the first half when the Springboks were being pummelled all over the park. With their backs against the wall, the Springboks needed some direction on the field, but it wasn’t coming from that fly-half channel.
To be fair, several of Willemse’s teammates also looked like they were shell-shocked in the opening stages and there was a lack of quality ball to work with.
One could also make the case that Willemse was rusty, not having played since the URC and he also recently recovered from a knee injury. However, it was a Test match and you would have expected more from a player with his pedigree.
There was some indecisiveness with the ball in hand and the backline just looked devoid of ideas for much of the time when he was at fly-half. The Boks looked much better on attack when Willie le Roux slotted into that first receiver role, and it is a ploy the Boks adopted on a few occasions with him and Willemse starting in the same backline.
Willemse has plenty of skill and speed and the full-back position gives him more time to make decisions and terrorise defenders around the park. Maybe it is time that Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber take a page out of John Dobson’s book when it comes to using Willemse in the backline.
The Stormers coach preferred to use the 25-year-old in the No15 and No.12 jerseys during the URC and European season and he flourished. In Auckland, another glaring difference between the All Blacks and the Springboks was the kicking game.
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All Blacks fly-half Richie Mo’unga and full-back Beauden Barrett put the Boks under constant pressure with high balls and accurate kicks in play and the Boks did not get that from their playmaker on Saturday. The Springboks coaches see Willemse as a utility player and the ultimate successor to Francois Steyn, who has now retired from the game.
It’s also understandable that Erasmus and Nienaber are preparing for every eventuality and with injuries being a big part of the game, Willemse could be the big solution at fly-half if resources are cut short during the Rugby World Cup.
However, the Boks would do well to give Libbok an extended run in that fly-half role until Handre Pollard gets back to full fitness. The more confidence Libbok gets on the international stage, the better it will be for the Springboks.
10 is a huge issue for SA and it will cost them the World Cup. Pollard, who is past it & will be rusty, must start simply down to goalkicking. Libbok / Willemese / De Klerk / Kolbe all not reliable, and given SA's game plan and DNA of taking their shots at goal, scrum penalties etc. Cost them the game vs Ireland in November and hampered them vs France too. You can't have Cheslin Kolbe lining up a touchline conversion in a tight World Cup game. Someone like Curwin Bosch / Johann Goosen would be a better option for this year, can focus on developing Libbok for the next WC cycle then, whilst using Willemse as utility back in the 23 shirt, not a 10. Bosch harshly overlooked for SA, good season with Sharks and played well in Champions Cup too.
this comment didn’t age well - go bokke!
Willemse needed to be tested at flyhalf against a team like the all blacks. Libbok (and Williams) got a run too.
We must not lose sight of the fact that the SA pack failed miserably in that first 20. But if we learned anything from the last two games:
1. Libbok is an out and out flyhalf and should be the focused backup to Pollard. He has shown that he is capable. More than capable to be trusted to start at 10. Why else have him in the team.
2. Willemse has shown that he is a capable backup in the event Pollard and (Libbok) are out. 3rd choice 10 out of necessity. I’d sooner have Willie Le Roux cover 10 in an emergency.
3. Willemse should be the focused option for 15. Either starting at 15 or coming off the bench ala Frans Steyn 2019. Covering 15, 12 and 10 (in that order).
Pollard is likely going to come back rusty. We have to prepare for that. Libbok needs to go into the RWC firing and confident at flyhalf.
The time for experimenting is over. We need settled combinations. It’s too late to find another flyhalf option. We need to back Libbok.
Based on the last two games (and form) I would be starting the following back line against Argentina:
9. Faf
10. Libbok
We need to see this combination have a full run.
11. KLA
12. de Allende
de Allende had a bad game, but he needs game time.
13. Am
14. Kolbe
15. Le Roux
Le Roux needs game time. And should cover 10 if Libbok needs to be replaced.
Bench:
Grant Williams
Damian Willemse (come in at 15)
Andre Esterhuizen
He is looking too good to leave out again and should come in for a run. Or start at 12 with de Allende off the bench.
Argentina is the real scenario where we are without 2 x 10s on the match day sheet. We can’t have a 6/2 bench in this scenario.
When Pollard is back:
9. Faf
10. Libbok/Pollard
11. KLA
12. de Allende/Esterhuizen
13. Am
14. Kolbe
15. Le Roux
Bench:
Grant Williams
Damian Willemse
Libbok/Pollard
This is my prediction for what we will see in the back line at the RWC. I don’t necessarily agree with it - but this is what I think Jacques Nienaber will go for in the big games or see this as the “1st Team” - injuries etc aside.
I understand the reasons for experimentation. But I think that is enough now. Libbok must start until Pollard is back. Time to use specialists at flyhalf. I'm not a Libbok fan, but he played well against AUS.
Still have my doubts about him in high pressure games.