‘It’s a disaster’: Stormers face anxious wait over Damian Willemse ban

The Stormers face an anxious wait to hear what ban Damian Willemse is set to receive following his red card during their 34-24 win over Cardiff in their final United Rugby Championship (URC) pool match of the season.

Willemse was given his marching orders for a high hit on visiting wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb in the second half, which was the second red of the match after Cardiff prop Danny Southworth received one in the first half for his high tackle on Neethling Fouche.

Willemse’s transgression could however prove very costly for the Stormers, especially if he receives a ban that rules him out of the entire URC playoff phase.

In fact it could impact his return to the international fold as well, with Willemse having last played for the Springboks in the final of the 2023 World Cup, following which he missed last year’s entire international season due to various injuries.

He thus would have been in line to make his return in the incoming series against Italy and Georgia in July, but if he received a multigame ban as expected, and the Stormers go down in their URC quarterfinal against Glasgow, that would carry over into the international season.

Where Willemse could receive some mitigation from the citing commissioner is that there didn’t seem to be any intent in the tackle and a low degree of force, although there was clear shoulder contact to the head.

A disaster

Commenting on the tackle after the match, Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson admitted that the ban could be a disaster and a potential hammer blow to their URC playoff hopes, and that they would consider an appeal depending on the outcome.

“I haven’t seen it enough to comment on what the impact is. He was stuck. I don’t think he was trying to hit with the shoulder, I think he was trying to turn,” explained Dobson.

“The implications, I’m sure, are going to be poor for us. I’ve got no doubt. We can’t appeal until there is a decision. I don’t see them overturning that. It’s a disaster for us.”

Although losing Willemse would be a blow for any team, it may solve a selection dilemma for Dobson ahead of their quarterfinal against Glasgow Warriors.

With Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok having returned from injury against Cardiff, and put in a scintillating 54 minute shift, he could very well be in line to start in the knockout match.

Warrick Gelant, who was rested for the final pool game, will slot back in at fullback, where Willemse played against Cardiff, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu could be shifted to the midfield, where Willemse was likely to return to.

In any case it is all a moot point until a decision is handed down and the Stormers and their fans will be waiting with bated breath for it to be handed down.