When a rugby union promises a player that they can transform him from a junior player to an international star (and they do so publicly), that should serve as a good indication of that player’s worth.
Okay, not always. It could be that this union doesn’t boast the cream of the rugby crop and would take the first half-decent player they can get their hands on. Or it could be that this union just desperately wants to boost their depth in a certain position and hey, a junior will do.
But that’s not the case. None of the options above. Because this union was the Bulls and that player is Damian Willemse - also known as one of South Africa’s biggest new prospects.
Before Willemse committed to Western Province, the Bulls were desperately trying to haul the young pivot to Pretoria.
That move would have been a tough one for WP, after having already lost some young talent to the Lions.
Now that they have Willemse, they should do their best to develop that talent.
He needs game time. He needs to get used to the bigger stage. And he needs to have the freedom to express himself and further strengthen his already-impressive abilities.
And having him hang around at Newlands and hold the tackle bags during training isn’t the best way to do that.
Stormers coach Robbie Fleck included the 19-year-old in his 45-man Super Rugby squad at the weekend, and that’s a start. And with the plans that Fleck has for the Stormers and giving youngsters a chance being a major deal for him, Willemse is in good hands. He just needs to get a big enough “chance”.
I mean, he deserves it.
Last year’s Craven Week Player of the Tournament has given rugby fans more than enough reason to back him.
He has to be one of the top steppers around, and his ability to beat defenders with an inside-then-outside step shouts his attacking flair.
But it’s not just that step.
He has offloading skills that can put many of SA’s “senior” players to shame, add that strength and decision-making and you have an almost full description of Willemse.
Now there are those who can argue that he put those superb performances on display against “weaker” competition, or competition not up to senior standards, and that’s why he looked so good.
They can also argue that defences are less organised at that level and that’s why he cut through numerous players like they were not even there.
And that might be true, to a very small extent.
Willemse’s productions might have been against juniors, but he himself is a junior. He has showcased his skills against top rugby schools, and let’s not forget about Craven Week; where the only way a player can stand out is to do better than SA’s best juniors.
So that argument is invalid and, if you want to take anything from that, let it be the importance of this guy being allowed to grow, to adapt to senior level and to show if he has the talent to go all the way.
I think he does, but it’s all up to the Stormers to allow him to show that.