Damian Willemse leads Bok backline masterclass in All Blacks rout

Willemse, who was named Player of the Match in South Africa’s emphatic 43–10 win over the All Blacks at Sky Stadium in Wellington, was instrumental on attack and rock-solid on defence alongside his midfield partner Canan Moodie. 

Coach Rassie Erasmus paired Willemse with his Stormers teammate Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who started at fly-half in just his second Test start and Willemse says he was pleased with how the backline stood up to the challenge.

"When we changed or made changes, the people on the outside don't really always see it, we had a lot of experience today in our backs. They had two debutants, the number nine had two caps, so they also had changed. Ruben Love has two caps, Leroy Carter playing his first test,” Willemse said.

“So, they also had a lot of inexperience but on the other side I thought we had a lot of experience. Cobus [Reinach] has played 43 caps, Cheslin [Kolbe] 44, myself 43 and the rest of the boys Sacha [Feirnburg-Mngomezulu] and Canan [Moodie] are on 20, so yeah. Props to the coaching staff for obviously getting us on the same plan."

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The two-time World Cup winner dedicated his Man of the Match performance to former Springbok fullback Bevin Fortuin, who tragically passed away on Thursday at the age of 46. 

Fortuin, who played eight Tests for South Africa between 2006 and 2007, collapsed from a suspected heart attack before a Rhinos rugby training session in Bloemfontein.

"That performance was for Bevin Fortuin as well as coach Rassie and the rest of our coaching staff. We've come under a lot of slack and criticism from a lot of our supporters and people on the outside trying to obviously get into us but I think the boys really stepped out tonight and performed,” he added. 

“They nailed their roles, nailed their detail and capitalise very well, so yeah, I'm just very pleased for everyone in the team and the dressing room."