Stormers utility back Damian Willemse is the latest Springbok World Cup winner to be sidelined with injury.
Willemse, who played fullback in the 2023 World Cup final against the All Blacks, suffered a finger injury in the Stormers’ United Rugby Championship win over Connacht in Ireland.
Willemse will be out for the remainder of the Stormers URC campaign as well as the Test matches against Wales, Ireland, and Portugal due to an injury to his finger ligaments, according to Netwerk24.
In the Test matches, Bulls fullback Willie le Roux—who is vying for his 100th Springbok cap this year—is probably going to start at fullback instead of Willemse. However, players like Quan Horn of the Lions, Warrick Gelant of the Stormers, and Aphelele Fassi of the Sharks are also in excellent form.
Willemse joins Lukhanyo Am, the outside center, on the sidelines.
Am was left off the Sharks roster for Friday night’s EPCR Challenge Cup final at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against Gloucester.
Am, who is thought to have a rib and shoulder ailment, missed last weekend’s United Rugby Championship match against Benetton in the hopes of being well enough to play in Friday’s championship game.
Another Springbok who will be out for the Sharks is scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, who is still recovering from an injury.
The Sharks and Springboks, however, have cause for optimism as Vincent Koch and Eben Etzebeth are both eligible to play in this weekend’s championship game.
