FILE - The Stormers' Damian Willemse has been linked with a move to Leinster despite having more than two years left on his contract.
Image: Gianluigi Guercia / AFP
Damian Willemse is the latest Stormers’ Springbok to be linked with a move away from the Cape.
According to a report, Willemse is on Irish giants Leinster’s radar as the ideal candidate to replace All Blacks back Jordie Barrett, who will return to New Zealand when his six-month contract expires at the end of the season.
Stormers playmaker Libbok, who is currently on the sidelines with a knee injury, has been linked with English Premiership club Leicester Tigers, after fellow World Cup-winning flyhalf Handre Pollard announced that he will be returning to South Africa with the Bulls next season..
Libbok has apparently also attracted interest from Racing 92, who themselves are looking to replace a star flyhalf, with Scottish ace Finn Russel leaving the club in the European summer.
However, both Willemse and Libbok are contracted to the Stormers until October 2027. A club looking to secure their services will have to pay a hefty transfer fee..
The versatile Willemse would be the perfect replacement for Barrett. Like the All Black star, Willemse can play in multiple positions and will bring a lot of talent and international experience to Leinster’s back division.
Willemse has been a key player for the Stormers and the Springboks, helping the Cape side clinch the inaugural United Rugby Championship title in 2022. That triumph is also sandwiched in between two Rugby World Cup titles with the Springboks in 2019 and 2023.
Willemse has had a stop-start season with the Stormers after missing the Springboks’ entire 2024 campaign with injury.. Willemse makes his first start for the Cape side in several months on Friday when they take on Ulster in the URC.
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