Damian Willemse

Damian Willemse was born on May 7, 1998, in Strand, Western Cape, South Africa. He began his rugby career playing for Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch. In 2014, he represented Western Province at the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week, starting all three matches and scoring a try in the final match. He continued his progression, playing for the Western Province Craven Week side in 2015 and 2016, where he demonstrated strong performances, including scoring multiple tries. His consistent play earned him call-ups to the South Africa Schools team in both 2015 and 2016, where he started in pivotal matches and contributed to clean sweeps in international series.

Following his schoolboy rugby career, Willemse quickly advanced to professional rugby. In 2017, just months after finishing school, he was included in the Stormers squad for the Super Rugby season, making his professional debut at 18 years and 301 days. He continued to play for the Stormers and Western Province, developing his skills as a utility back. In September 2019, he joined Saracens on a short-term loan deal, making his debut in the Premiership Cup before returning to the Stormers. His career highlights include winning the inaugural United Rugby Championship with the Stormers in 2022. In October 2022, Willemse signed a new five-year deal with the Stormers, securing his presence with the team until at least 2027.

Willemse’s international career with the South Africa national team, the Springboks, began in 2018 at the Rugby Championship. He was part of the squad that won the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and again in 2023, showcasing his adaptability across various positions. His contributions also extend off the field, where he engages in environmental and social advocacy. He has partnered with the non-profit organization One Tree Planted, along with sponsors like Vida e Caffe and Adidas, to lead clean-up efforts on Strand Beach and plant over 500 trees in his local community, addressing environmental concerns in his hometown.