Rassie Erasmus: Springboks ‘best hope’ for Jan-Hendrik Wessels with update provided on Damian Willemse
Springboks star Damian Willemse and Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Rassie Erasmus has provided an update on Springboks’ full-back Damian Willemse following his injury in the Stormers’ victory over Benetton.
The double Rugby World Cup winner was the only ‘out-and-out’ option at 15 included in the touring squad, with his absence in the Springboks matchday squad providing an opportunity for Cheslin Kolbe to start in the role for just the second time at Test level.
Stormers boss John Dobson said that Willemse ‘put his tour at risk’ in the URC clash in Treviso as he soldiered through and finished the match despite carrying an injury, but Erasmus has eased concerns over the severity of his injury.
Damian Willemse update
After naming his team to tackle Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms at Wembley, the Bok boss said that staff did not want to risk Willemse against Japan, but stated that they believe he will be ready for the grudge match against France at the Stade de France next week.
Erasmus also addressed the availability of utility front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels, who is appealing his nine-week ban for allegedly groping Connacht’s Josh Murphy in the URC fixture in Galway.
Wessels missed the Bulls’ defeat to Glasgow Warriors last week with his suspension covering all of the Springboks’ end-of-year fixtures. The forward has linked up with the Boks squad in London, and Erasmus states that no cover will be called in until a final decision on his appeal is made.
“Damian Willemse has got a bit of a hamstring issue,” Erasmus said.
“We think he might be ready next week, so we didn’t want to take a chance there, and Jan-Hendrik is unavailable through suspension.”
The Bok coach is not concerned about Kolbe’s shift from the wing to full-back despite it being just his second start in the role. This is because Kolbe has played in the position throughout his club career for Suntory, Toulon, Toulouse and the Stormers.
“He started at full-back against Ireland in 2022, and obviously, he has moved there in games for us a lot; he’s played there in the French Top 14 too,” he explained.
“We could have probably played Manie or Handre at 10 and moved Sacha to 15, but we feel a little bit of continuity was important with Sacha finding his feet at Test match level and different oppositions. But with Kurt-Lee back, Canan doing really well, Ethan playing well too, we’ve got the luxury of giving Cheslin a chance there.
“We are confident that Cheslin can do it at this level.”
Erasmus was asked about Wessels‘ situation and he explained that even if there were to be an injury in training ahead of the clash against Japan, the Boks had sufficient cover in the squad that an additional player would not be needed.
“We won’t be bringing anyone into the squad until we hear the final result of the appeal,” he stated.
“We have enough cover, and if we get an injury before Saturday and he’s not available, then we still have Marco [van Staden] available.
“So at this stage, we’re not getting somebody in.”
Hope for Wessels
While the head coach did take a swipe at the disciplinary decision on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, he was not willing to share more of his opinions on the matter.
“Obviously, I have my opinion, but that’s not important,” he said.
“Hopefully, the result goes Jan-Hendrik’s way in the appeal, and that’s the best we can hope for.”
Wessels’ appeal hearing is set to take place on Wednesday and according to a report by News24, the Bulls want a fresh hearing to take place if the appeal committee accepts their submissions.
Should the appeal fail, the front-rower could lose the three-match reduction he received for good conduct, increasing his suspension from nine to 12 matches.
