'Expressing yourself is not always playing flashy rugby,' says Damian Willemse

The World Champions are out for Rugby Championship retribution as they look to make amends for their 24-17 loss to New Zealand at Eden Park last week.

This week's showdown in Wellington is crucial for the Boks' chances at retaining the Rugby Championship title and coach Rassie Erasmus has wrung the changes in pursuit of that goal.

One change that raised an eyebrow is utility back Willemse starting at 12 for the first time. There, he will look to cook with Stormers teammate Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu on his inside, Canan Moodie on his outside and Aphelele Fassi at fullback. Not to mention hotstepper Cheslin Kolbe and the elusive Ethan Hooker on the wings.

With this prodigious talent on display, it's clear that the Boks are coming to play rugby. But Willemnse assured that they won't be throwing the ball around willy nilly. "Expressing yourself is not always playing flashy rugby," the 27-year-old told the press on Thursday.

"If there's an opportunity and it presents itself, we must take it. That is expressing yourself.

"We are really focused on those small moments and making sure that we are dialled in for when opportunity presents itself."

Willemse admitted he has big shoes to fill at inside centre, a position that has been held down by the powerful Damian de Allende for the better part of a decade.

"It is a new position for me," continued the double World Cup winner.

"I haven't started there yet, but I have played a couple of Test matches at the inside centre later in the game.

"It is a new role for me, having to step up into the shoes of Doogz, something that he's been doing for us many years, is something that I'm really excited about.

"I'm also excited about linking with Sasha and with Moodie [at outside centre] and having the back three [Hooker, Kolbe and Fassi] outside me.

"It's an opportunity for all of us to go out, play our game and hopefully get a victory."

The destructive Andre Esterhuizen will provide cover for 12 from the bench on Saturday, taking some pressure off Willemse. 

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