Willemse extends his stay with DHL Stormers until 2027.

Currently 24, Willemse has begun to fulfil the prodigious promise he showed as a schoolboy when he played flyhalf for the Western Province Schools team at the 2016 Craven Week at Kearsney College in KZN. He will play centre for the Stormers when they face Edinburgh in a Vodacom United Rugby Championship game at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday but has started at both fullback and flyhalf for the Springboks in recent months.

A five-year contract extension for a player like Willemse is ground-breaking for WP, and coach John Dobson feels it underlines the growing belief that his players have in the future of the Stormers team and the union.

“We have always known the potential of a player like Damian, who has all the talent in the world,” said Dobson in a media release announcing Willemse’s contract extension until 2027.

“To have seen him develop over the last five years into the ultimate professional has been a privilege, and we are so glad that he has chosen to remain loyal to the only team he has ever played for.

“Damian has such a big impact on those around him and that influence will only grow over the next five years as we look to take this team to even greater heights.”

Willemse showed his loyalty to WP and the Stormers when he turned down a big money offer from the Vodacom Bulls a few years ago and those who know the circumstances of that decision have seen him as a shining light for franchise and provincial union loyalty ever since.

For his part, Willemse said he is delighted to have committed to the team he grew up supporting.

“Playing for the Stormers has always meant a lot to me, so I am very happy to know that I will be around for what will be a very bright future,” said Willemse.

“The players and management here continually push each other to raise standards and I’m glad to know that I will be a part of that for the next five years.”