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Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids has defended Damian Willemse after his performance at the Springbok Showdown in Newlands on Saturday.
Willemse looked frustrated when Team Springbok Gold lost 25-9 to Team Springbok Green during this past weekend’s error-filled game.
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Before the game, there was a lot of excitement surrounding the battle between Willemse and the more experienced Elton Jantjies, and the Stormers player got a chance to show what he can do on flyhalf.
However, Willemse ultimately fought behind a group that struggled to get the kind of momentum and clean serve that he would have enjoyed.
The 22-year-old missed a pair of penalties just before halftime, which would have tied Team Gold’s level at halftime, while also receiving a yellow card for cynically obstructing green winger Yaw Penxe, resulting in a penalty try.
Speaking after the game, Davids, who took over for Gold, said he was confident that Willemse would have learned from his performance and will bounce back from his franchise in the coming weeks.
“We all know Damian is a special talent and he can win games,” Davids said.
“Obviously rugby players go through the cycle where they might not have one of the best nights and he just didn’t have one of his best nights.”
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Davids said the start and stop nature of the match, where both teams struggled to play fluently, attacking rugby with new combinations, contributed to Willemse’s performance.
“We were a bit under pressure and the conditions were a bit difficult,” explained Davids.
‘It is early in the season and with his experience and with his ability, I think he is a player who will recover and would have learned in these conditions and the pressure that there was tonight. [Saturday].
I think it will come out stronger next time.
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Photo: Shaun Roy / Gallo Images
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