Damian Willemse breaks Rugby World Cup record after Springboks victory

Springboks full-back Damian Willemse has become the youngest player to win two Rugby World Cup titles.

Before the 2023 Rugby World Cup, All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock held the record after winning the 2011 tournament in New Zealand at the age of 23 and completing the double four years later, just 19 days after his 27th birthday.

However, Willemse has since bettered Whitelock’s record, starting the final against the All Blacks aged 25 years, 5 months and 21 days.

Willemse’s journey to becoming a double World Cup winner

The Bok utility back initially missed out on the 31-man squad named for the 2019 World Cup but was called to Japan when centre Jesse Kriel sustained an injury in the tournament’s opening game.

He played in just one match for the Springboks during their 2019 run to the title, starting at full-back in the 66-7 thrashing of Canada in the pool stages.

Following the World Cup, Willemse cemented himself as a regular member of Jacques Nienaber’s squads, coming off the bench in all three British and Irish Lions series matches in 2021.

He entered the 2023 World Cup with 33 Test caps under his belt and was far more involved in this tournament, starting six of the Boks’ seven matches, missing just the final pool game against Tonga.

While Whitelock held the record for eight years, Willemse could be replaced at the top as soon as 2027 if the Springboks go on to complete the three-peat.

If his fellow teammate and utility back Canan Moodie is selected in the squad that wins three successive World Cups; he will take the record off Willemse, as his 25th birthday is just over a week before the 2027 final.

Full list of two-time Rugby World Cup winners

Dan Crowley – Australia (1991 & 1999)
John Eales – Australia (1991 & 1999)
Tim Horan – Australia (1991 & 1999)
Phil Kearns – Australia (1991 & 1999)
Jason Little – Australia (1991 & 1999)
Os du Randt – South Africa (1995 & 2007)
Frans Steyn – South Africa (2007 & 2019)
Dan Carter – New Zealand (2011 & 2015)
Richie McCaw – New Zealand (2011 & 2015)
Ben Franks – New Zealand (2011 & 2015)
Owen Franks – New Zealand (2011 & 2015)
Jerome Kaino – New Zealand (2011 & 2015)
Keven Mealamu – New Zealand (2011 & 2015)
Ma’a Nonu – New Zealand (2011 & 2015)
Kieran Read – New Zealand (2011 & 2015)
Colin Slade – New Zealand (2011 & 2015)
Conrad Smith – New Zealand (2011 & 2015)
Victor Vito – New Zealand (2011 & 2015)
Sam Whitelock – New Zealand (2011 & 2015)
Sonny Bill Williams – New Zealand (2011 & 2015)
Tony Woodcock – New Zealand (2011 & 2015)
Handre Pollard – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Lukhanyo Am – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Frans Malherbe – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Trevor Nyakane – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Eben Etzebeth – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Pieter-Steph du Toit – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Siya Kolisi – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Duane Vermeulen – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Damian de Allende – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Jesse Kriel – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Willie Le Roux – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Steven Kitshoff – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Vincent Koch – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Bongi Mbonambi – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Malcolm Marx – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
RG Snyman – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Kwagga Smith – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Franco Mostert – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Faf de Klerk – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Cobus Reinach – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Damian Willemse – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Cheslin Kolbe – South Africa (2019 & 2023)
Makazole Mapimpi – South Africa (2019 & 2023)

READ MORE: The LEGENDARY list of two-time Rugby World Cup winners