Stormers boss heaps praise on brave Willemse

Damian Willemse was a stand-out performer for the Stormers on Saturday as his side barrelled into the URC final in dramatic fashion after downing Ulster in the 84th minute at the Cape Town Stadium. 

Willemse scooped the man-of-the-match award with some fantastic displays in the inside centre channel, all while carrying an injury. 

“It's a credit to him, because he is not fully fit,” Stormers Head John Dobson said post-match. 

“He was in quite a bit of pain at some stages. 

“For him to come through and get Man of the Match in those circumstances is just brilliant. I hope he is all right for next week. 

“He has got some form of compound fracture in his elbow, which is healing. Another week will help a lot. 

“If anybody oozes blue and white in their veins, if anybody bleeds blue and white, it's Damian Willemse. 

“He wasn't missing this game for anything. Late in the week, when the doctor said he could play, he shouted ‘yes man!’ out of the window at people in traffic. 

“He is a special person and a special player, so I am very chuffed. It was amazing, you could see how heavily he was strapped.” 

It will be an all-South African affair when the final plays out in Cape Town next weekend as the Bulls challenge the Stormers for the title. Jakes White’s men shocked the competition on Friday evening as they toppled the mighty Leinster – who up until then were overwhelming competition favourites – in Dublin.