Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus faces an anxious wait over the health of Damian Willemse, after the Stormers star suffered a hamstring damage throughout Saturday’s 31–16 win over Benetton in Treviso.
Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson confirmed post-match that Willemse had picked up the damage however selected to stay on the sector.
“Damian has in all probability acquired a pulled hamstring,” Dobson mentioned. “He acquired moved to the wing, which I assumed was very intelligent from Ruhan [Nel], in order that he didn’t need to defend an excessive amount of. It simply sums up the character.
“It has in all probability put a few of his tour in danger. He didn’t need to come off and stored taking part in for the Stormers, which was very particular.”
Willemse’s setback comes lower than per week earlier than South Africa’s five-match tour begins, beginning with their conflict in opposition to Japan in Tokyo on November 1. The 26-year-old has been a mainstay in Erasmus’s squad, able to masking fullback, fly-half and centre.
In the meantime, Dobson was stuffed with reward for his aspect after finishing their European tour unbeaten, following wins over the Ospreys, Glasgow Warriors and Benetton.
“It’s a really particular win for us. We by no means received right here [in Treviso] and it was a really powerful recreation,” he mentioned. “They rolled out their internationally laden group. It was extremely powerful within the first half. It was completely different techniques from what we’ve confronted within the first 4 rounds.”
The Stormers boss highlighted the contributions of his bench as key to the clear sweep.
“To go on a tour unbeaten for a group that travels badly is a really particular achievement by a particular group,” Dobson added. “The influence from the bench was wonderful. Zach [Porthen], Adre [Smith], Ruben [van Heerden] and Ruan [Ackermann] – that has been the key in all of the video games. Whoever has been on the bench, there are large forwards approaching which have made a giant distinction.
“Cobus Reinach is clearly a particular participant. I used to be thrilled with Jurie Matthee as the sport driver. We had been fascinated by life with out Manie [Libbok] and Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu], after which we’ve acquired a really competent and gifted younger participant who can drive a group.”
