Damian Willemse ruled out for four months

Damian Willemse will be out of action until at least the end of September, dealing another blow to the Bok camp.
Damian Willemse, the Stormers’ Bok ace, is expected to miss the rest of the URC season, as well as South Africa’s four mid-year Tests and the 2024 Rugby Championship.

Willemse’s absence was a huge blow.
Willemse, 26, has been in terrific form for both club and country, playing a key role in the Springboks’ back-to-back World Cup victories and the Stormers’ late push for a home playoff in the URC.
However, he sustained a finger injury during the Cape side’s triumph against Connacht in Galway last week, and it is now believed the knock is more serious.

While it was hoped that it was a simple sprain, according to Netwerk24, a scan has revealed that the two-time Bok world champion has injured his finger ligaments and will need surgery.

The recovery process is expected to keep Willemse out for a reported four months, meaning he may only return to be part of the Boks’ end-of-year tour.

The Stormers have one more round in the URC to play against the Lions in Cape Town next Saturday, before they face the challenge of an away playoff against Munster, the Glasgow Warriors, Leinster or the Bulls.

WHAT NEXT FOR BOK CAMP?

Meanwhile, the Boks are now short of a fullback for their two-Test series against Ireland, their one-off clashes against Wales and Portugal, as well as the entirety of the Rugby Championship.

The initial reaction to the news is that Willie le Roux will have to slot back into a starting role for the first 10 Tests of the season based on his excellent form for the Bulls, but that means the Bok squad is in the market for a back-up fullback just a month out from the first game of the international campaign.