Autumn Nations Series
The ferocity of the Top 14 doesn't help Fabien Galthie and France
2
Paul Willemse ![France]()
France
Age
32
Position
Lock
Height
201cm
Weight
125kg
News
TOP 14
Exclusive
Fissler Extra: Danny Care's future in focus as Ben Youngs takes new job
Ulster hit back to beat Montpellier and claim quarter-final spot
Leinster face competition from Top 14 to sign Taniela Tupou - report
1
Latest
Six Nations
LONG READ
Why have France fallen off a World Cup cliff?
Galthie explains why 20-year-old Bielle-Biarrey starts versus Scotland
Two changes for France as Galthie names team to play Scotland
'It's not out of his job description' - Schalk Burger weighs in on Paul Willemse cards
Six Nations
LONG READ
'The French believe that their team without Dupont is like Asterix without his magic potion'
Schalk Burger pinpoints the 'underrated' part of Ireland's game
Teams
Bio
Paul Willemse is a French-South African lock who has represented Top 14 club Montpellier since 2015 and the France national team since 2019.
Born in Pretoria, South Africa on 13 November 1992, Willemse moved to Tsumeb in Namibia and started his youth career. Playing for Tsumeb Gymnasium, he was called up to the Namibian Under-18 Craven Week team in 2009. His potential was clear and shortly after he was offered a junior contract by the Golden Lions.
In 2011 he participated in the 2011 Under-19 Provincial Championship for the Golden Lions. Here he scored an outstanding eight tries, making him the leading forward try-scorer. The following year he played in the Currie Cup and Super Rugby for the Golden Lions and the Lions respectively.
In 2013, he played twice for the UP Tuks during the 2013 Varsity Cup and made a move to the Blue Bulls, participating in the 2013 Vodacom Cup against Griquas and the Pumas. Then, during the 2014 Super Rugby season, he played 15 matches for the Bulls. Meanwhile, in the 2014 Currie Cup Premier Division, he started all 11 of the Blue Bulls’ matches.
Willemse then moved to French Top 14 club Grenoble in 2014. A year later, he moved to French Top 14 side Montpellier. He’s stayed with the club ever since and has won both the Top 14 and the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
After three years of residency in French territory, Willemse qualified for the France national team. In 2018, it was announced by Bernard Laporte that he would be joining the team, even though he’d played age grade rugby for South Africa.
Willemse didn’t appear in the French team until January 2019, ahead of the 2019 Six Nations. He made his test debut against Wales and, due to his impressive performance, he went on to play in every game of the tournament. He was recalled to the French team for the 2020 Six Nations and he helped the side win the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2022.
With such an impressive career, we know we’ll be seeing much more of the talented lock in the future.
