Stormers say Damian Willemse is going nowhere until after 2027

Damian Willemse is not going anywhere.

That was the emphatic response from the Stormers late Friday following news last weekend that the two-time World Cup winner might be on his way to Leinster in Ireland as a replacement for the departing Jordie Barrett.

The New Zealander Barrett is currently on a six-month playing sabbatical in Ireland, but will return to his home country in the middle of this year.

On Friday, the Stormers said in a statement: “Despite media speculation, the Stormers can confirm that Damian Willemse will not be leaving the club to take up any offers as he remains contracted until 2027.

Alternative offers

“Willemse currently has 97 caps for the Stormers, having made his debut fresh out of school in 2017. He signed a groundbreaking five-year contract in 2022, which was the year he lifted the URC trophy with his teammates in Cape Town.”

Willemse won the Rugby World Cup with the Springboks in 2019 and 2023. He sat out the whole of last season with an injury and only recently returned to action for the Stormers, following a return to play from a different injury.

The Stormers added: “Willemse will not be taking up any alternative offers, despite further speculation posed in the guise of an April Fool’s joke, although many clubs around the world are obviously interested in the services of the double World Cup winner.”

The Stormers, and Willemse, have no action this weekend as the Cape-based team are no longer involved in any of the Europe-based cup competitions. The Bulls, Lions and Sharks are however involved in Challenge Cup action.