Springbok Damian Willemse on turning the series around

By Liam Maconi
14th September 2026

Following the series win in Baltimore, USA, Springbok Fullback Damian Willemse admitted there were key areas the team had to work on to turn their fortunes around in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry after the opening defeat to New Zealand at Ellis Park.

Willemse was restored to the Springbok starting XV for the fourth and final test against the All Blacks at M&T Bank Stadium in place of injured Cheslin Kolbe.

He was also part of the team that lost 33-16 at Ellis Park Stadium in the opening game of the series and also featured in the second Test at DHL Stadium, where the Boks levelled the series, but missed the third Test in Soweto due to a niggle.

Willemse says that defeat at Ellis Park gave the group an opportunity to look internally and help each other tighten up their game.

"After taking that loss in the first test, there were certain areas of our game that we had to work on. We were able to look internally, help each other tighten our game. Credit also must go to the coaching staff for providing plans and solutions for us. How we have grown as a team after this series is massive and we will look to build on this momentum."

READ: Morne van den Berg delighted after MoM performance in Boks' Baltimore bashing of All Blacks

Despite the 43-28 victory over the All Blacks in Baltimore, Willemse said the Springboks expected a tough encounter from a New Zealand side that was determined to level the series. He revealed that, at half-time when the score was 17-14 in favour of South Africa, there were plans put in place to see out the match.

"It was a tough game, but we expected New Zealand to want to fire a shot back in the series. I'm just really proud of the team for sticking to our guns and trusting the coaching staff, we then found the answers we were looking for in the second half and we came out swinging to win the series."

The 28-year-old made his senior international debut for the Springboks in August, 2018 against Argentina in the Rugby Championship coming off the bench at King Parks Stadium in Durban at the age of 20. He now adds a Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry medal to an already illustrious international list of achievements, which includes the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup winners’ medals, as well as a British & Irish Lions series winners’ medal.

It was also a full-circle moment for head coach Rassie Erasmus. Erasmus took charge of his 100th Springbok Test, eight years after leading the side out for the very first time in 2018 against Wales. That test also took place in the USA, in Washington D.C.

The Springboks will take on Australia next on Sunday 27 September 2026 at Optus Stadium in Perth.