Damian Willemse, the Springboks fullback, played a crucial role in South Africa overcoming a 1-0 deficit to defeat the All Blacks 3-1, thereby winning the title of 'Greatest Rugby Rivalry'.
Willemse, a versatile defender for the Springboks, already has two World Cup medals and participation in the triumph of the British & Irish Lions, but his final phase of international career in matches brought another significant achievement.
He became a key figure for the South African team, which managed to turn the tide of the matches to beat the All Blacks 3-1 in the debut four-match series of the 'Greatest Rugby Rivalry'. Willemse was significantly involved in the 43-28 victory in Baltimore, following his return from an injury that caused him to miss the second match. This win added another special achievement to his already impressive international career.
At only 28 years old, he achieved more than most players throughout their careers, yet he dedicated his success to the favorable environment and the privilege of wearing the green and gold colours. Willemse stated: 'Yes, it is very special. When you step onto the field representing the Springboks, and the Springboks are in your heart, you just want to go out there and make everyone proud—your teammates, your family, and South Africa.'
He continued: 'When I go out there with all my friends and buddies, it is a dream come true. So this victory belongs not only to us; it also belongs to South Africa.'
The achievement became even more valuable due to the Springboks' ability to turn the series around after losing the first test match at Ellis Park stadium. After South Africa lost first place in the world rankings following a 33-16 defeat in Johannesburg, the team responded with three consecutive victories: in Cape Town (33-26), Soweto (29-24), and finally in Baltimore, concluding the series 3-1.
Willemse believes that the failure in the first match forced the group to look at themselves more closely, which triggered the desired reaction. He noted that after the first match, there were certain aspects of the game they needed to work on, and perhaps they had not been paying enough attention to them.
He added that this allowed the group to do internal work, help each other, improve the game, and focus completely. He expressed gratitude to the coaching staff for developing plans and solutions that helped them regain confidence after the first match. He emphasized that it was a huge event, especially for many players for whom it was one of the first major series, and the team's growth during the National Series is a significant positive point.
The final match in Baltimore was physically demanding as the All Blacks tried to level the score after halftime. They increased the pace and tried to unsettle the world champions. Nevertheless, South Africa's defence repeatedly repelled attacks at the try line, keeping the opponent at bay.
Willemse was particularly proud of how the team reacted when New Zealand pressured them before halftime, and he was glad they maintained their composure. He noted that it was a difficult match, and they expected its difficulty. He also mentioned that New Zealand, being down 2-1, aimed to attack and level the series.
However, in his opinion, the decisive factor was how they reacted after halftime when the opponent scored a try. The team stuck to its principles, implemented the plans developed during the break, and he is very proud of all the team members, the coaching staff, and all participants for finding answers and playing decisively. Overall, he expressed satisfaction with the series victory, noting that it means a great deal to them and to South Africa.
