Rants and Raves: Damian Willemse the Stormers’ best back

Mark Keohane’s Independent Media Rants and Raves following Super Rugby 2019’s seventh round.

TOP RAVE

Damian Willemse glowed at No 15 for the Stormers in Auckland. He is the best back at the Stormers and hopefully he will be used accordingly. He was huge defensively against a physical and imposing Blues backline. I much prefer Willemse at No 10, as I feel he asks so many questions closer to the gainline.

We all know how naturally talented Willemse is on attack but it is his defence that is so underrated. He is one of the more physical No 10s in Super Rugby, but he showed his pace and defensive acumen on several occasions. He simply has to go to the World Cup.

TOP RANT

How the hell was Schalk Brits ever given a red card in Durban? Shame on you (referee) Mike Fraser. The inadequate and clearly inferior Akker van der Merwe clearly headbutted Brits, who took exception to the cowardly act of thuggery.

Both players were given a red card on the 65th minute and kudos to the veteran Brits who spent the rest of the match sitting among the home Sharks crowd. Van der Merwe hasn’t earned the right to lace Brits’s boots; let alone take to him with the head.

WATCH THE INCIDENT BELOW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugX3BCZ84TE

For the rest of Keohane’s Rants and Raves visit IOL